Murder trial for driver

A judge ordered a drunk driver with two prior convictions to stand trial for second-degree murder and vehicular manslaughter in the death of a National City man.

Deputy District Attorney Cally Bright showed the judge court documents that stated Abraham Granados Beltran, 25, was driving on a suspended license when his 2007 Toyota Camry crashed into a BMW driven by the victim, Oscar Melero, 52.

Beltran’s license was suspended because he was convicted of drunk driving in 2011 and 2013 in Orange County. Bright said Beltran was ordered to pay $23,935 to one victim in a prior DUI crash.

San Diego Superior Court Judge Charles Rogers read the documents and noted the wording notified Beltran in 2013 that he could be charged with murder if he has another DUI crash and someone dies.

Rogers said Beltran had initialed the pages, indicating he had read them and signed them.

Bright said Beltran got no sleep after partying and drinking alcohol on Feb. 15 and was estimated to be driving between 81-89 mph around 7 a.m. when he crashed into Melero’s vehicle. Melero was on his way to the California 10/20 race at the Del Mar Fairgrounds when he was killed on Interstate 5.

Melero was a popular hairdresser in the Hillcrest area and lived in National City. About a dozen of his friends and co-workers attended the preliminary hearing.

Bright said Beltran, of San Juan Capistrano, admitted to a CHP officer afterwards that he was not able to drive because he had too much to drink. His blood/alcohol level was estimated to be .11 to .13 percent, which Bright said would come from consuming 5-6 alcoholic drinks.

Beltran’s attorney, Alma Cruz, waived making an argument before Rogers ordered him to stand trial on all charges. Beltran pleaded not guilty and Rogers set a trial date for April 18, 2016. He waived his right to have a speedy trial.

If Beltran is convicted of second-degree murder, he faces a sentence of 15 years to life in prison. It will be up to a jury to decide whether he is guilty of murder, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, or not guilty.

Scott Parent, an investigator with the CHP, testified Beltran’s estimated impact speed was between 81-89 mph when he struck Melero’s BMW, which was stopped on the freeway with other cars in front of him.

Beltran is also charged with injuring Reid Anderson, a passenger in a Nissan which was also struck. Beltran remains in jail on $750,000 bail.