A driver convicted of drunk driving five times has now been charged with murder in another alcohol-related crash that killed a grandmother whose family was driving to Sunset Cliffs to watch the sunset on Sept. 13.
John Joseph Taskey, 46, was sentenced to state prison in his fifth drunken-driving case in 2006. He was on parole when his Chevrolet pickup struck the other car on Interstate 8 near the exits for Sunset Cliffs Boulevard and West Mission Bay Drive, said Deputy District Attorney David Grapilon.
Taskey’s latest preliminary hearing is set for Monday, Dec. 17.
Rosa Degerman, 76, was killed when Taskey’s truck plowed into the car her son was driving around 6:30 p.m. “at freeway speed,” said Grapilon.
Degerman’s son received a mild concussion, and the victim’s 11-year-old granddaughter suffered a fractured shoulder. Taskey was also injured.
Taskey was allegedly driving with a 0.10 blood/alcohol level ” 0.02 points higher than the legal limit, said Grapilon. Taskey is also charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
To prove second-degree murder, a prosecutor would have to show that the defendant showed “willful disregard” for life when he was behind the wheel. If he is convicted of second-degree murder, he faces a sentence of 15 years to life in state prison. Taskey has pleaded not guilty to all charges in San Diego Superior Court. The charges also carry sentencing enhancements that say the deceased victim was over 70 years of age and that he has prior DUI convictions. He remains in the George F. Bailey Detention Facility in lieu of $1 million bail.
Grapilon said Taskey was previously convicted of five drunk-driving charges, of which three were felonies and two were misdemeanors. The current case was investigated by the California Highway Patrol.