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LOS ANGELES — An 87-year-old man was charged with manslaughter (search) Monday in the deaths of 10 people who were killed when his car barreled through a farmers market last summer, authorities said.
George R. Weller (search) faces 10 felony counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence stemming from the July crash, which also injured 63 people, prosecutors said.
"The district attorney's office strongly believes that this tragic incident should be addressed in the courtroom," said Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for county prosecutors.
Calls to Weller's attorney, Jim Bianco, were not immediately returned Monday. Bianco has described the crash as an accident and said Weller "suffers every minute" because of the tragedy.
Weller's daughter, Meredith Eden, declined to comment Monday.
Weller, of Santa Monica (search), agreed to surrender to authorities Tuesday morning, Gibbons said. He faces sentences ranging from probation to 18 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
Police had asked prosecutors to bring a manslaughter case after a five-month investigation concluded that the tragedy was the result of unsafe speed and other violations.
Police said Weller didn't try to stop his car as he sped nearly 1,000 feet along the Santa Monica street where the market was held, smashing produce stands and leaving dozens injured in his wake.
Authorities say Weller likely hit the gas instead of the brake, reaching speeds of more than 60 mph.
Santa Monica Police Chief James Butts said in December that Weller had been "at best negligent in his operation of a motor vehicle," and that Weller's ill health and reduced mobility might have been factors.
Friends and relatives say that since the accident, Weller has gone from an open and friendly man to a virtual recluse.
He rarely leaves home and is hooked to an intravenous line 24 hours a day, the Los Angeles Times reported. He no longer takes part in the community activities that once occupied his days.
Bonnie Kramer, a longtime friend, said Weller was devastated by the knowledge that he'd hurt or killed people.
"It's like a heavy cloak that he wears," she told the Times.
George R. Weller (search) faces 10 felony counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence stemming from the July crash, which also injured 63 people, prosecutors said.
"The district attorney's office strongly believes that this tragic incident should be addressed in the courtroom," said Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for county prosecutors.
Calls to Weller's attorney, Jim Bianco, were not immediately returned Monday. Bianco has described the crash as an accident and said Weller "suffers every minute" because of the tragedy.
Weller's daughter, Meredith Eden, declined to comment Monday.
Weller, of Santa Monica (search), agreed to surrender to authorities Tuesday morning, Gibbons said. He faces sentences ranging from probation to 18 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
Police had asked prosecutors to bring a manslaughter case after a five-month investigation concluded that the tragedy was the result of unsafe speed and other violations.
Police said Weller didn't try to stop his car as he sped nearly 1,000 feet along the Santa Monica street where the market was held, smashing produce stands and leaving dozens injured in his wake.
Authorities say Weller likely hit the gas instead of the brake, reaching speeds of more than 60 mph.
Santa Monica Police Chief James Butts said in December that Weller had been "at best negligent in his operation of a motor vehicle," and that Weller's ill health and reduced mobility might have been factors.
Friends and relatives say that since the accident, Weller has gone from an open and friendly man to a virtual recluse.
He rarely leaves home and is hooked to an intravenous line 24 hours a day, the Los Angeles Times reported. He no longer takes part in the community activities that once occupied his days.
Bonnie Kramer, a longtime friend, said Weller was devastated by the knowledge that he'd hurt or killed people.
"It's like a heavy cloak that he wears," she told the Times.
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