SAN DEIGO UNION TRIBUNE
APRIL 18, 2008

SUV SPEEDING IN FATAL CRASH, SHERIFF'S INVESTGATOR SAYS.

POWAY-Skid marks indicate the SUV that rolled over on Valle Verde Road in Poway last week, killing a 20-year-old man on his birthday and injuring four others, was going 65 to 70 mph on the residential street, an investigator said.

The speed limit on Valle Verde in that area is 35 mph, deputy Mark Tally said. Officials at the time said the driver of the SUV was under the influence has not been determined, however blood tests have not been complete.

Charles Elias Amaro II of Rancho Bernardo was in the back seat and was crushed. Driver Richard Caldwell, 18, suffered a severe head injury and was listed in serious condition yesterday. Three others, a 19-year-old man and two girls, ages 16 and 17, were less seriously injured.

Sheriff's Sgt. Bill Giltner said the 1999 Ford Explorer was traveling south on Valle Verde Road about 2:30 a.m. April 10 when the driver lost control on a curve past Vinter Way. The SUV rolled several times, ending up on its roof near Edina Way.

Tally said the group had attended two parties that night in Poway. A separate investigation has been launched by the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to determine if the youths had been drinking and if so how they were able to obtain the alcohol.

Amaro had turned 20 2 1/2 hours before the crash. When deputies arrived, they smelled alcohol in and around the SUV and on the victims.


MARCH 4, 2009

DRIVER, 19, GETS PRISON IN DEADLY POWAY CRASH

A Rancho Bernardo teenager who rolled his SUV while speeding down a residential street, killing passenger and injuring others, was sentenced yesterday to four years and eight months in prison.

Richard Caldwell, 19, pleaded guilty Dec. 3, to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving under the influence causing injury. Caldwell was charged last year in the death of his friend, Charles Elias Amaro II, 20, of Rancho Bernardo.

San Diego Superior Court Judge David Danielsen said he considered Caldwell's youth and lack of a criminal record but rejected the defense's argument for probation, saying case "deserved prison."

The crash occurred at 2:30 a.m. along Valle Verde Road in north Poway. Caldwell, Amaro and three others teens had just left a party.

Deputy District Attorney Greg Walden said Caldwell's blood-alcohol content measure 0.12 percent hours after the crash.

Caldwell apologized in court to Amaro's family and to those he endangered. He also apologized to his mother, who wept during much of the hearing.

"I take full responsibility for what I did." "This happens every night, but it was me that night."


"OBITUARY
APRIL 22, 2008

Services were held Tuesday for Charles Elias Amaro II, who died April 10, 2008, his 20th birthday, in a vehicle accident.

Born in San Diego, Mr. Amaro was a student who lived in Rancho Bernardo. Survivors include his parents, Charles Elias Amaro of Rancho Bernardo, his mother, Gidgette Nieves of Carlsbad; and his sisters, Syreeta Blas and Bridget Amaro, both of San Diego.

Services were held Tuesday, April 15 at Maranatha Chapel, Pastor Daniel Jones officiated. Burial was at EL Camino Memorial Park.

Poway-Bernardo Mortuary handle the arrangements.