Convicted DUI Offender Pleads Not Guilty in Deadly Crash

Convicted DUI Offender Pleads Not Guilty in Deadly Crash

by Contributing Editor

A convicted DUI offender pleaded not guilty Thursday to murder and other charges for allegedly crashing a car while under the influence of alcohol and drugs, killing one of his two passengers.

Javan Draper, 44, of Pomona, is charged with one count each of murder, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury within 10 years of another DUI offense, and driving with a 0.08 percent blood-alcohol content causing injury within 10 years of another DUI offense, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

The charges stem from an early morning crash Feb. 18 on North Garey Avenue in Pomona that killed Anthony Tucker Jr., 23, of Pomona.

“(A) comprehensive investigation revealed the suspect, Javan Draper, was driving southbound on N. Garey Avenue at a high rate of speed, while under the influence of alcohol and illegal drugs, when the vehicle hit the concrete center median causing it roll over into a large palm tree,” the Pomona Police Department alleged in a statement.

“(The) investigators learned Draper was driving on a suspended driver’s license and had a recent DUI conviction,” according to police. “As part of his court proceedings, Draper was warned of the dangers of driving while intoxicated. Because of this advisement, and Draper’s actions, he is eligible to be charged with murder.”

Draper was arrested May 6 by Pomona police and has remained behind bars since then, jail records show.

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Originally published on https://mynewsla.com