Trial ordered for motorist accused of fatally striking 89-year-old pedestrian in National City

CHULA VISTA (CNS) – A parolee accused of driving under the influence of cocaine and killing an 89-year-old pedestrian in National City must stand trial on gross vehicular manslaughter and other charges, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Kevin Earl Moore, 57, is charged in the Jan. 20 death of Tomas Mondares of National City, who was struck shortly before 9 a.m. while walking on a sidewalk in the 500 block of East Eighth Street.

Judge Stephanie Sontag ruled that enough evidence was presented at the defendant’s preliminary hearing for Moore to proceed to trial on the manslaughter count and a charge of driving under the influence of drugs causing injury.

Moore was allegedly behind the wheel of an eastbound 2002 Infinity sedan that veered off the roadway and struck Mondares, who died at the scene, according to National City police Sgt. Mike Harlan.

Officers found the sedan parked about 100 yards away and contacted the driver, later identified as Moore, Harlan said.

Moore, who has a history of drug, burglary and domestic violence arrests and has been to prison four times, voluntarily submitted to a blood screen sobriety test before being booked into San Diego Central Jail.

Sontag ordered Moore back to court May 7 for arraignment.