Charge Increased To Murder For Driver In Roseville Crash That Killed Pedestrian
AUBURN (CBS13) - The Roseville man accused of driving drunk, fleeing police officers and killing a pedestrian Tuesday night is now being charged with murder.
The victim was 26-year-old Gregory de la Campa. His family is devastated but they were at the Placer County Courthouse for Thursday's hearing when the judge increased the charge against Oleg Tarasuk, 50, from gross vehicular manslaughter to second-degree murder.
His family wanted people to know how special Gregory was.
"My little brother was the nicest, sweetest, kindest," said a tearful Cheryl de la Campa.
It hadn't even been 48 hours since Cheryl lost her younger brother Gregory when she sat in court Thursday and came face to face for the first time with the man accused of killing him.
"I hope that this man has remorse for what happened and his choices, because he took away an innocent life," she said.
Tarasuk is now facing second-degree murder along with DUI and evading police.
Police say officers approached Tarasuk on Tuesday night parked outside of a recycling area in Roseville after he was reported to be driving erratically. Tarasuk took off as officers approached, slamming into a patrol car and then speeding down Washington Boulevard.
By the time police caught up with him, they say Tarasuk had already struck and killed Gregory, then plowed into three other vehicles.
"He would do anything for anyone and he always made everyone laugh and smile," Cheryl said of her brother. "And I don't know what I'm going to do without him."
Greg was a newlywed, married less than a year, and had just moved to the area in July from Reno.
He and his wife were out for a walk on the night he died. Exercising was one of his passions and he had lost an incredible 220 pounds, his family said.
"I just can't begin to understand, but we're here because we want to see justice for him and his wife," Cheryl said.
Tarasuk is now being held without bail. He's scheduled to be back in court on Friday.
