On October 18th, 2019, our beloved mother Juanmin Liao, a 58-year-old woman, was tragically killed in a collision while walking on the sidewalk of Cleveland avenue. Dayvi Javier Pineda-Arita was driving recklessly at a speed of 61 mph in a 35 mph zone and lost control of his modified Subaru BRZ, causing the fatal collision. The impact was severe, and Juanmin suffered multiple injuries that ultimately led to her death. A full class of students at the nearby Pivot Charter School witnessed the crash. 

Pineda has a history of reckless driving, including a serious car crash in 2017. He is charged with vehicular manslaughter (Penal Code 192(c) 2), which is classified as a misdemeanor and punishable by up to a year in prison. No person’s life is worth 365 days or less in prison. However, it has been over three years since the incident, and the case is still in court with multiple delays. Despite the devastating impact on Juanmin's loved ones, Pineda has yet to face any consequences for his action

For a long time I struggled with what to say, three years of suffering and grief is not easily summarized in a few sentences. I finally found my words when the defense attorney filed a diversion motion, which could potentially help the defendant avoid a conviction like nothing had happened. My mother used to say: the moment you know that you’ve transitioned from a child to an adult is when you have the capacity to distinguish between right and wrong and to choose to take full responsibility for your actions. The defendant, to this day, has never once chosen to express remorse for taking my mother’s life. He has never once chosen to explain why he was driving 61 in a 35 mph zone on October 18, weaving in and out of traffic recklessly in his modified car like a deadly weapon. He has an opportunity here to right his wrongdoings, and he is once again choosing to dodge responsibility. We don’t want to see such a reckless person hurt another family and make them go through what we are suffering.

Anyone who takes another person's life in a reckless manner should be held accountable for their actions. The thought that someone could cause such harm and devastation and then be able to avoid a conviction through a diversion motion is unacceptable to me. It is important that those who commit such serious and preventable offenses are held responsible for their actions and that justice is served for the victims and their loved ones. I strongly object to the idea of a diversion motion in this case, will you sign and stand with us in getting justice for Juanmin? 

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