Trial Date Set for Man Accused in Deadly Crash

RIVERSIDE - A Feb. 19 trial date was confirmed today for a convicted felon accused of causing a head-on crash that killed an off-duty Riverside County sheriff's dispatcher riding his motorcycle to work.

Juan Zacarias Lopez Tzun, 31, could face more than a year in jail if convicted of misdemeanor charges of vehicular manslaughter and being an unlicensed driver of a motor vehicle in connection with the July 12 collision in Moreno Valley that fatally injured 30-year-old Donnie Durden.

Tzun appeared with his attorney today before Superior Court Judge Rafael Arreola, who scheduled the trial after hearing from the prosecution and defense. Jury selection could begin anytime between Feb. 19 and March 1. The parties will meet again for a status conference in the first week of February to assure they're prepared to move ahead.

Tzun is free on $7,500 bail.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the crash occurred in the predawn hours of July 12 at the intersection of

Pigeon Pass Way and Chambray Drive.

At the time, Durden was driving his 1992 Honda Shadow south on Pigeon Pass at about 45 mph when Tzun, coming from the opposite direction in a Chevrolet pickup truck, began a left turn onto Chambray.

Tzun ''failed to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic'' and crossed in front of Durden, said CHP Officer Steve Carapia.

''Both motorists took evasive action but were unable to avoid a collision,'' he said. ''As a result, the front of the pickup collided with the left side of the motorcycle.''

Durden was ejected from the Honda and thrown onto the pavement. The victim, who was wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene minutes later.

Tzun remained at the crash and was arrested without incident. Carapia said alcohol or drugs were not believed to be a factor in the collision.

According to court documents, Tzun has a prior felony conviction for grand theft in 2009. His 36-month probation for that conviction ended in March.