Charges were filed this week against the 16-year-old driver of a truck involved in an accident that killed cyclist Matthew O'Neill last month near Santa Maria.
It happened on Foxen Canyon Road on August 9th.
The Santa Barbara County District Attorney's office says the boy is facing misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charges. He is also charged with two infractions; driving a commercial vehicle without a license; and non-compliance with driving terms and restrictions.
The Santa Barbara Independent reported last month that the boy is the son of local politician Abel Maldonado, but that has not been confirmed due to the child's age. The Highway Patrol revealed that the boy was accompanied by 18-year-old, Nicholas Maldonado, who is the son of the former Lt. Governor.
O'neill was a PhD student at UC Santa Barbara and avid cyclist. He was 33 years old at the time of the crash.
The case is set for arraignment on Friday, September 26 in juvenile court in Santa Maria.
