Crime & Safety

Alleged Wrong-Way Driver Back in OC to Enter Murder Plea

Mission Viejo resident William Carroll is accused of killing a Rancho Santa Margarita mother in a traffic collision last May.

The Mission Viejo man accused of driving the wrong way into oncoming traffic and killing a Rancho Santa Margarita woman last May is back in Orange County and set to be arraigned.

William Joseph Carroll, 47, turned himself into New York officials two weeks ago and returned to Orange County Sunday, according to the District Attorney’s office. He is scheduled to enter his plea on a murder charge Tuesday, where the prosecution is expected to ask for $1 million bail against Carroll’s release.

He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life if convicted, according to a DA press release.

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On May 7 at around 11:30 p.m., according to witnesses, a pickup headed south on the north side of Santa Margarita Parkway collided head-on with a minivan. The minivan driver, Ana Martinez, 36, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Carroll displayed objective signs of intoxication and had a blood alcohol content of .21 percent approximately one hour after the collision, according to the DA’s office.

Find out what's happening in Rancho Santa Margaritawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Orange County Superior Court records show that Carroll pled guilty to drunk driving in 2008 and was arrested for public intoxication, trespassing and resisting arrest in 2011.

Martinez left behind a husband and three children, ages 2, 7, and 15.


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