MONTEREY PARK >> Prosecutors have filed criminal charges against a 19-year-old driver who fatally struck a 76-year-old crossing guard earlier this year, authorities said Thursday.
Jin Yang of Monterey Park is charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter and driving without a license in connection with the Jan. 27 collision at Garfield Avenue and Elmgate Street that claimed the life of Abel Castellanos of Monterey Park, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Sarah Ardalani said. He was scheduled to appear in Alhambra Superior Court to enter a plea July 22.
Yang was driving a Ford Mustang south on Garfield Avenue at about 50 mph when he lost control of the car, California Highway Patrol Officer Doris Peniche said. The posted speed limit is 40 mph.
Yang slammed on his brakes and veered to the right to avoid a Toyota Celica making a left turn from northbound Garfield Avenue onto westbound Elmgate Street, Peniche said. The Mustang went out of control and careened into the southwest corner of the intersection, where Castellanos was sitting in his folding chair in between escorting schoolchildren across the street.
The impact instantly killed Castellanos, officials said.
Yang’s mother, who was riding as a passenger, was treated for injuries described as moderate following the crash.
The misdemeanor charge manslaughter charge against Yang alleges that the death resulted from an unlawful or dangerous act, “but without gross negligence.”
The charge carries a maximum potential sentence of one year in county jail.
Yang could not be reached for comment Friday. It was not clear whether he was being represented by an attorney.
One of Castellanos’ sons, Ronnie Castellanos, said Friday that he had not heard of the charges and had no further comment.
Castellanos lived in Monterey Park with his family for more than five decades. After retiring from the linen business, he had worked as a crossing guard in Monterey Park for 10 years.