The 22-year-old driver who struck and killed a pedestrian on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu after stealing a vehicle last month was charged today with one felony count of vehicular manslaughter, among other charges.
Kevin James Hicks, of Venice, Calif., allegedly stole a Mazda 6 in Malibu on the morning of Nov. 29 and led law enforcement on a pursuit that ended in a crash that took the life of 28-year-old Juan Castillo. The crash occurred near Winding Way West.
A release from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office says Hicks now faces multiple charges: one felony count each of vehicular manslaughter, fleeing a pursuing a peace officer’s motor vehicle causing death and driving or taking a vehicle without consent with a prior; he also faces one misdemeanor count of driving when privilege suspended or revoked.
Hicks was also convicted earlier in 2017 of grand theft auto in Kern County.
If convicted, Hicks stands to face a maximum sentence of 12 years and 10 months in state prison.Â
An investigation following the crash on Wednesday, Nov. 29 shut down Pacific Coast Highway in both directions near Winding Way for several hours throughout the morning and well into the afternoon.
Hicks was reportedly injured in the crash. Three law enforcement agents from the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station were commended by Malibu City Council last week for their actions that helped save his life.
An online donation drive for Castillo was still active, and many notable members of the Malibu community had donated to the funeral fund.