Man pleads guilty to killing ex-wife with pickup truck

CHULA VISTA (KUSI) – The man accused of killing his ex-wife in Chula Vista pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder and other charges.

Cesar Castillo Vallejo, 38, faces 20 years to life in prison when sentenced June 17 by Judge Ana Espana.

Authorities said Castillo repeatedly ran over 37-year-old Leonor Castillo with his 1998 Chevrolet Silverado in the 1100 block of Elm Avenue about 7 p.m. last Nov. 28.

She died at the scene.

Vallejo, a maintenance man who worked in the Mission Bay area, fled to Mexico following the victim’s death. He initially tried to take his children, ages 10, 8 and 3 with him, but the victim’s mother persuaded him to leave them behind.

He surrendered at the San Ysidro Port of Entry on Dec. 1.

The couple’s 12-year marriage ended over a year before her murder.