Driver Pleads Not Guilty in Triple Fatal Collision

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Driver Pleads Not Guilty in Triple Fatal Collision
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John Roderick Dungan (courtesy Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office)

By edhat staff

The driver accused of intentionally crashing his vehicle into another car killing a family of three has pleaded not guilty.

John Roderick Dungan, 28 of Santa Barbara, is charged with three felony counts of murder for a Highway 154 collision that took place on October 25. California Highway Patrol (CHP) stated earlier this month that Dungan drove his vehicle into the opposing lane of traffic directed at the vehicle carrying a Vanessa Goss Bley, 34, and her two young children, Lucienne Bley Gleason (2) and Desmond Bley Gleason (4 months).

CHP arrested Dungan following his release from the hospital and recommended three counts of murder to the District Attorney's office who filed the charges. CHP also had the bail amount of $2 million changed to no bail. 

Captain Cindy Pontes of CHP also stated they have evidence to confirm Dungan intentionally crashed into another vehicle even though Dungan refused to speak with investigators. 

Dungan will return to court on January 31 for a preliminary hearing.

 

RELATED ARTICLES

 November 7, 2019: Driver Intentionally Crashes into Family, CHP States

 October 29, 2019: Disturbing History of Survivor in Fatal Highway 154 Collision

 October 27, 2019: Solvang Woman Identified in Fatal Highway 154 Collision

 October 25, 2019: Triple Fatal Collision Closes Highway 154, Sparks Wildfire

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a-1575896921
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Nov 21, 2019 05:09 PM
Driver Pleads Not Guilty in Triple Fatal Collision

Too bad this will be some long, drawn out circus. Kinda makes one long for the old days when he would have been tossed in some deep dark dungeon and forgotten about.

jak
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Nov 24, 2019 08:41 AM
Driver Pleads Not Guilty in Triple Fatal Collision

Roger, a little frontier justice often does go a long way, but not necessarily in the right direction. And even when it does go in the right direction it usually pushes those who practice it in the wrong direction.

REX OF SB
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Nov 21, 2019 04:26 PM
Driver Pleads Not Guilty in Triple Fatal Collision

Even if Dung misses being able to cop to a mental defense and is found guilty of murder, he'll be sentenced to something like 20 years to life, but he'll be back out on the streets eight or so years later. That's just the way it's done in California these days.

Abc109
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Nov 23, 2019 11:05 AM
Driver Pleads Not Guilty in Triple Fatal Collision

Attias was found Not Guilty by reason of insanity and was eventually released from a mental hospital. It is FAR less likely to be released early for three counts of murder. I am hoping they find "Dung" Guilty of at least 2nd degree murder, needing only to prove implied malice: "if the defendant committed an act dangerous to human life; if the defendant was aware of the danger; or if death resulted from the defendant’s actions."

REX OF SB
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Nov 21, 2019 10:51 PM
Driver Pleads Not Guilty in Triple Fatal Collision

SEABIRD: Look what happened to Eliot Rodger. True, he had a "mental defense" case. But he's still out. It will happen again, mental defense or no. That's just how it is in California these days. Bank on this. I am right.

Seabird
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Nov 21, 2019 04:31 PM
Driver Pleads Not Guilty in Triple Fatal Collision

Not for THREE counts, Rex, plus special circumstances. I hope he rots for life. There will be massive support to sentence with no possibility of parole. Look what he did when he was out on bail last month. Garbage human.

Seabird
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Nov 21, 2019 02:20 PM
Driver Pleads Not Guilty in Triple Fatal Collision

He has a public defender (so yes, more tax dollars for this piece of garbage) and some young instagram chick out of a firm in LA. When asked if he understood the charges and proceedings he said, "Yes" so let's hope he doesn't plan on pleading insanity.

SantaBarbaraObserver
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Nov 21, 2019 12:39 PM
Driver Pleads Not Guilty in Triple Fatal Collision

I for one am looking forward to the trial and subsequent conviction. He would have been wise to just admit fault and avoid the inevitable media slaughter, but the murder charge made that not viable. So instead of slipping into oblivion, he is going to have to lay out his deepest, most private thoughts and actions for all to see and scrutinize. It will be a bitter pill for us to swallow but it will most certainly be torture for this guy and his family. Then he'll spend the rest of his miserable life in a dirty, cold and extremely violent prison cell, where he will be forced to fight daily for his life and his well being... To me, that future seems much more severe than a quick death. He will be suffering for decades to come in some of the most miserable ways possible.

a-1575896921
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Nov 21, 2019 05:05 PM
Driver Pleads Not Guilty in Triple Fatal Collision

You think it will be "torture" for him to have every little detail about his life scrutinized? As a narcissist, he welcomes being the center of attention whether that attention be negative or not.

Abc109
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Nov 21, 2019 04:44 PM
Driver Pleads Not Guilty in Triple Fatal Collision

Sacjon, even if they charge him with First Degree murder and somehow cannot prove intent, he will be found guilty of a lesser degree. 1st Degree = 25 years to life OR Life without parole. 2nd Degree = 15 years to life. 3rd Degree = Maximum of 25 years. Believe me, the court WILL find him guilty of one of these, on three counts. And I wouldn't expect anything close to the minimum sentence, either. Doubtful a triple-murderer/repeat violent offender will be granted any kind of expedited parole, if any at all.

sacjon
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Nov 21, 2019 01:25 PM
Driver Pleads Not Guilty in Triple Fatal Collision

SBOBSERVER - Don't get too excited about a conviction. Unfortunately, it's a pretty high burden on the DA to prove there was intent to do this horrible thing. It's definitely not a slam dunk. Let's hope, if guilty, this POS gets what he deserves, but be patient.

pstarSR
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Nov 21, 2019 01:07 PM
Driver Pleads Not Guilty in Triple Fatal Collision

pretty sure that not how this works "do you know this case? do you have an opinion on this case already?" yeah all of edhat would be excused from the jury for that last one.

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