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Woman killed in crash at mailbox

Driver was allegedly under the influence

By Layla Bohm
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
Friday, May 16, 2008 6:09 AM PDT

A 76-year-old Lodi woman stopping to check her mail Wednesday night was struck and killed by an alleged drunken driver, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Violet Mae Hill had stopped in the entrance to her driveway on the north side of Tokay Colony Road at 8:47 p.m.

She parked her 1994 Buick partially in the roadway and was standing near the left rear of the car when a westbound 1998 Honda struck her car. The crash sent Hill's car into her, and she died at the scene.

The driver, Luis Hernandez, 21, of Stockton, had minor injuries and was taken to San Joaquin General Hospital, according to the CHP.

Hernandez was released from the hospital and booked into the county jail a few hours later, on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence and driving without a license, according to jail records.

Though Hill's Buick was parked partially in the roadway, Officer Adrian Quintero said it was not blocking the traffic lane and that Hernandez appeared to be at fault.

Hernandez, who was wearing a seat belt, was traveling at 50-55 mph at the time of the collision, which remains under investigation.

He is jailed on $87,000 bail, which includes a $10,000 Amador County warrant, and is scheduled to appear today in Lodi court.

Contact reporter Layla Bohm at layla@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

LodiJoe wrote on May 19, 2008 9:08 AM:

" BOB LOBLAW, You have a deal. I have news for you..I HAVE cut grapes, picked tomatoes, cherries, peaches and various other crops. I worked at a dairy farm also. I used that money to go to college and get an education. People who sponge off the generosity of Americans are making a choice to do so. Everyone can better themselves if they so desire. "

sam wrote on May 16, 2008 10:04 PM:

" S&W 500, AMEN. "

s & W 500 wrote on May 16, 2008 10:01 PM:

" The individual had his day in court. Hopefully he had the book thrown at him.
My thoughts go out to the victims family.

To drink is a choice, to drink and drive is stupidity. "

papercut wrote on May 16, 2008 9:21 PM:

" Who paid the 10 thousand or so dollars for the fireworks display Friday night at the zinfest? It was nicer than the 4th of July. I guess wine really does take the precedence over anything else in Lodi. Do the taxpayers pay for this, too? Isn't it taxpayers money that's budgeted to the visitors center? "

papercut wrote on May 16, 2008 6:59 PM:

" Wouldn't this be a great reminder and appropriate time to set up a DUI checkpoint either tonight or Saturday night near the entrance to Lodi Lake on Turner Road, where there'll be some of the heaviest city sponsored drinking at the winefest? Madd needs to use their sway for coordinating DUI checkpoints with the heavy drinking public events that turn those inebriated drivers loose on public roads and streets. "

Layla Bohm, reporter wrote on May 16, 2008 5:15 PM:

" Regarding the questions on Hernandez's legal status, at this point he does not have an immigration hold. He appeared in court today, where there was also no mention of a hold.
When U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement does question someone's status and place a hold on them, I publish that information because it affects their bail amount. (Those with immigration holds are not allowed to post bail.) "

alumn95 wrote on May 16, 2008 4:17 PM:

" To: loblaw
Maybe if we didn't have a welfare system that keeps people from getting hungry enogh to take a job we woyld have enough people to work in the fields. C'mon we pay people to breed like rats and not work, so we need illegals to pick our veggies get real. Wer din't need them 80 years agai and we don't need them know. Let seal the Borders and put the lazy welfare recipients to work. "

OpenMinded79 wrote on May 16, 2008 2:55 PM:

" ClosedMinded is in fact my husband (although for how long remains to be seen).

:0)

I stand by my views on this matter. I feel terribly that this woman died. I really do. My point is that the issue isn't about whether he is legal or not. The real issue is a person driving under the influence and that could happen regardless of someone's legal status here. "

Bob Loblaw wrote on May 16, 2008 2:50 PM:

" Boonablis, you fascination with prisons and showers is a little disturbing....

Your personal, rascist vendetta against illegal immigrants is even more disturbing. Enjoy the dirt under your rock. "

Bob Loblaw wrote on May 16, 2008 2:28 PM:

" I'll make you a deal Joe. I'll take in the illegal immigrants and you go pick all the grapes, and change all the linens, and serve all the fries, and care for all the elderly, etc....etc....etc....etc.....etc....etc....etc... "

boonablis wrote on May 16, 2008 2:25 PM:

" Lodi Joe- be careful, do not defend loblaw.
you know everyone has feelings :(
Joe-Hell yeah-there are many illegals in our prisons- I think over 50% of the population are illegal (please Check the facts, i know i'm right-put it in wax)
Now, wonder how much money we pour into the prison system. Do a little math and subtract the illegals from that percentage.
My guess is that we could use the cash for more police, teachers whatever. Instaed we are cutting education, and releasing more prisoners.
Hmm, counterproductive???

GAME,SET,MATCH
BOONABLIS!!!
loblaw hit the showers, this one is OVER!!!! "

CloseMinded69 wrote on May 16, 2008 2:21 PM:

" I am married to OpenMinded79, and I disagree with her on this. How do you know that the driver is NOT illegal? Layla Bohm's crack, insightful reporting never mentioned this. Additionally, if he was wasn't here, then this poor, sweet woman would not have died. Also, I might point out that OpenMinded79's sister is married to an unemployed, lazy, illegal immigrant who unfortunately gives all the hardworking ones here a bad nombre. "

LodiJoe wrote on May 16, 2008 2:18 PM:

" BOB LOBLAW, maybe you should invite a bunch of illegals into your home and pay for their upkeep. Maybe you can convince them to be self supportive and not sponge off the generosity of Americans. "

LodiJoe wrote on May 16, 2008 2:14 PM:

" OPENMINDED79.....You just don't get it do you. Illegals are draining our financial resources. They collect millions of dollars of "entitlements" without paying into the system. Between free school lunches, WIC programs, housing, health care it costs LEGAL taxpayers millions. The hate America but come here for a free ride. The don't expect free stuff, they DEMAND it as though we owe them. A VERY high percentage of California prisoners are illegals. Why don't you ask if you can keep a few at your house and pay out of your own pocket. "

Bob Loblaw wrote on May 16, 2008 11:49 AM:

" I guess I should die too then, huh boonablis? I'm glad you're sick. "

sam wrote on May 16, 2008 11:24 AM:

" Let me add another thing...
People should just SLOW down when driving country roads.

I live on Armstrong where the speed limit is 35 mph. I have several senior neighbors. I have witnessed them TRY and cross the street to get their mail. Insane drivers driving OVER 55 mph create near misses almost daily. It is crazy. SLOW DOWN. "

boonablis wrote on May 16, 2008 11:11 AM:

" You want to pay this dudes prison bill??? Its people like you that hamper the rest of us that have to pay other persons bills. Welfare, WIC, prison, Whats next?
I would love to sit on my ass, and get paid, i can't i'm educated, and have a sense of responsibillity, and more importantly accountabilty. Seems like there is alot of that missing right now.
But hey, according to you- it was probably the ladies fault for being struck right????
You make me sick "

Bob Loblaw wrote on May 16, 2008 10:59 AM:

" I hope you do indeed open some minds around here OpenMinded, especially bonnablis and his "kill 'em all, let God sort 'em out" medieval mentality. "

boonablis wrote on May 16, 2008 10:19 AM:

" Here's what we CAN do: Start punishing the offenders, not rewarding them with plush living conditions. You killed somebody? you were drunk? obviously they don't appriciate life.

Boom! outta here. Kill them, lower our overhead as a state. everyone will be safer, and in a better place

Believe It "

OpenMinded79 wrote on May 16, 2008 10:15 AM:

" Why does it have to evolve into a debate about this mans legal status? He broke the law and should go to jail for all the things he was charged with. Whether he is legal or not has nothing to do with it and last time I checked it was all the degenerate illegals in the Delta that pick all that produce and do all the stuff no one else wants to do. Whether it is ok or not the illegal contribute to our economy in immeasurable ways. The fact that they do all these jobs that no one wants to do for less money allows the rest of our community to save on costs of produce and domestic help. If we were paying farm workers minimum wage it would increase the costs of our produce production exponentially. Have any of you thought about that? Im surprised there isn't segregation and slavery in this community since apparently only white people are allowed to walk around without a cloud of suspicion floating over their head. All of us are illegal. The white people who complain complain complain about illegals are the biggest hypocrites of all. You people rode over in your big fancy boats, killed most of the natives, forced out the ones who survived and then went to Africa and kidnapped people to force them to work for free. Not to mention the fact that we live in what used to be Mexico, so whos the illegal now? "

ajmom wrote on May 16, 2008 10:13 AM:

" PLEASE! Remember that a multitude of people are affected by an accident like this. And, we should always focus on what we CAN do. Think about becoming involved with MADD or any other group fighting to make alcohol + vehicles disappear. Think also about the families. Not only have we lost a beautiful woman...but, a family is now mourning for their young member who made the worst choices possible. As far as immigration goes...I am not very versed in the subject. But, I do appreciate that most of my produce would be hard-fought to get to the table without those willing to work in the heat and discomfort of the fields.
Again...please think of the families involved....what is more tragic than (at a moments notice) EVERYTHING changes for the rest of their lives.
Vi---you are missed tremendously already. "

LodiJoe wrote on May 16, 2008 9:47 AM:

" No drivers license? You can bet insurance is non-existent also. Even though it didn't state his immigration status, I highly suspect he was illegal.
There are tens of thousands of illegals driving on our roads withough a license or insurance. When they are involved in accidents, guess who has to pay? You and me in the way of higher insurance premiums, higher medical, etc. I am sick of paying for people who think it is their right to "skirt" the system and walk away from their responsibilities. "

weezer wrote on May 16, 2008 8:31 AM:

" My sympathies to the victim's family.

It doesn't matter if the lady's car was blocking the road or not. If the accused weren't drunk, this accident could have been prevented.

As usual, we just have to assume that Hernandez--although without a license, is legal because it wasn't mentioned otherwise. Why? "

Mazie wrote on May 16, 2008 8:08 AM:

" I agree with boonablis. Fry him right now. A woman lives 76 years and is killed by a drunk? He deserves NO rights. Was he even legal? Would we even hear about that? 76 years old, my God that is just wrong. Hopefully someone will kill him while in jail. "

boonablis wrote on May 16, 2008 6:24 AM:

" OK, the guy was drunk. Lets Kill him right now, and forget about it. Trust me it is a sure fire way to save money as a taxpayer. We kill him, and all other friggin degenerates, so we can save the teachers, firefighter, and cops.

I mean after all this guy will get to live a life in prison, and students will suffer. What a f'ed up system "

Comments on this story are now closed.



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