John Dungan Convicted of Second-Degree Murder in Fatal Highway 154 Collision
Source: Santa Barbara County District Attorney
Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce E. Dudley announced today that John Roderick Dungan was convicted by a jury of three counts of second-degree murder in the killings of Vanessa Bley and her two small children, Lucienne and Desmond.
This verdict comes after six weeks of testimony, led by Deputy District Attorneys Stephen F. Wagner and Megan Chanda. Witnesses included first responders, civilian witnesses who stopped on Hwy 154 to assist the victims, as well in-depth expert testimony regarding the causation and dynamics of the collision.
The murders occurred in the late afternoon of October 25, 2019. Dungan drove his Chevy Camaro through Vanessa’s Chevy Volt near the Cold Spring Bridge at 119 mph, killing all three victims instantaneously.
District Attorney Joyce Dudley stated, “These verdicts and this level of justice for the victims would not have been possible without the hard work of California Highway Patrol Sergeant Matthew Marien and Investigator Jeffrey Clements, among many other dedicated law enforcement officers. In addition, Supervising Victim Advocate Rita McGaw provided much needed support for the surviving family members throughout the process. Finally, Prosecutors Stephen Wagner and Megan Chanda were exemplary in their efforts to seek Justice for these victims, their loved ones and our community at large.”
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Thomas Adams on September 28, 2022, in Department 1 of the Santa Barbara Superior Court.
The defendant faces 45 years to life in prison.
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Aug 02, 2022 04:32 PMThank God. Those poor babies, mother and surviving husband.
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Aug 02, 2022 05:00 PMMay they rest in peace, and may he rot in prison until his death.
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Aug 02, 2022 06:17 PMThank goodness. I was a little worried the DA shot too high with the murder charges, but that it exactly what this was. Stalker creep turned murder.
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Aug 02, 2022 08:34 PMThat must have been a hard six weeks for that jury. I thank them for their efforts.
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Aug 03, 2022 12:23 AMYes, many thanks to the jury. Surely hope his incarceration is without caveats....solid time in prison is justice. No pity.
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Aug 03, 2022 07:30 AMThankyou jury members for a task not easily taken.
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Aug 03, 2022 09:32 AMi prefer to see him hanged.
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Aug 03, 2022 10:02 AMHe deserves 50 years in prison without the possibility of parole.
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Aug 03, 2022 11:11 AMIf there is a hell I hope he rots in it.
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Aug 03, 2022 11:33 AMSWARFMASTER - Rope is much cheaper than gas, electricity, lethal injection or bullets (firing squad). And that same rope can be used the next time when needed.