Ripon Man Crashes Car Into Pole To Allegedly Kill Himself, Girlfriend And Daughter
RIPON (CBS13) - A Ripon man is under arrest for intentionally smashing his car into a utility pole in an effort to kill himself, his 4-year-old child and the child's mother, according to police.
At around 11 a.m. Monday, Ripon police were called to the 500 block of N. Stockton Avenue for a domestic dispute. A witness told officers a man and woman were in a heated argument then left in a vehicle with their 4-year-old child.
Cops say the suspect turned to his girlfriend as he was speeding down Highway 99 with their 4-year-old child in the backseat and said, "I'm going to take all of our lives."
Officers say David Goulet tried to kill his little girl with a crash that was no accident when he smashed into the utility pole.
"Terrible, you know, take a kid like that, threaten their life," neighbor Ish Lujan said. "To do that to an innocent life is not right."
It was the shocking end to a fight that police say began at the couple's Ripon home late Monday night.
"I know I've heard arguments there at times," neighbor Diane Silva said. "I said, 'Something's going to give here one of these days,' so it's scary whenever there's arguments down there. I always get a little nervous."
Cops say Goulet kidnapped the child as the argument spilled outside and her mom jumped into the car at the last second, fearing for her daughter's safety. Goulet sped down the freeway allegedly threatening to kill them all.
"I can't even imagine, just can't even imagine," Lujan said. "That lack of respect for the life of your own children is unbelievable."
They took an exit off 99 as police say the panicked mom looked in the backseat and realized her daughter wasn't buckled in.
She was able to get her seat belt on moments before cops say Goulet slammed into the utility pole.
Police say it could have been deadly but as it was, both the mother and 4-year-old child escaped with minor injuries. They're recovering at home while Goulet sits behind bars.
Police say Goulet ran off after crashing the car, but they found him just down the road. He's charged with attempted vehicular manslaughter, kidnapping and child cruelty.
