YOLO COUNTY, Calif. — A Woodland man accused of manslaughter after allegedly leaving his child unattended in an idle truck at a gas station, which led to a crash where another toddler was killed, is no longer facing criminal charges.
The Yolo County District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday it dismissed the criminal complaint against Julio Navarro-Vidrio after a grand jury determined there is not enough proof to charge him.
The grand jury didn’t find probable cause 2-year-old Ailahni Sanchez Martinez's death was the result of a criminal act, according to the district attorney’s office.
Her family can still pursue civil action against him, though.
CASE HISTORY
The deadly crash happened the afternoon of Saturday, March 16 at a 76 gas station in Woodland.
Police arrived to find Martinez had been hit by a vehicle and taken to a hospital where she later died from her injuries.
Police found the owner of the truck at the scene, later identified by prosecutors as Navarro-Vidrio. Investigators said he left the truck running while parked at a gas pump.
A toddler was left unattended in the truck in a car seat. The toddler managed to get out, make their way to the driver’s seat and cause the truck to roll forward and hit Martinez, who was standing near a taco stand.
Navarro-Vidrio was detained but released without charges at the time.
He was eventually charged with manslaughter in May. Now, he no longer faces criminal charges in connection with Martinez's death.
