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Big rig driver convicted of involuntary manslaughter for Angeles Crest Highway crash
A Pasadena jury has convicted a big rig driver of involuntary manslaughter in the runaway truck crash that killed two people on Angeles Crest Highway.
The crash happened two years ago. Marcos Costa was driving a double-decker auto-hauling big rig on the mountain road heading to La Canada Flintridge when he lost control. Speeding through the intersection of Angeles Crest Highway and Foothill Boulevard, he hit several cars and slammed into a bookstore and cafe.
Two people died — 12-year-old Angelina Posca and her father Angel Jorge. Several others were injured. Prosecutors argued that it wasn’t an accident, saying Costa knew his brakes were failing and should have taken a safer route. Costa’s attorney said his client committed no crime and blamed the accident on the highway itself because there was no runaway truck ramp.
The jury acquitted Costa of second-degree murder charges, and agreed to convict him of two lesser counts of involuntary manslaughter and reckless driving.
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