LOS ANGELES – A former airman with the United States Air Force has been indicted on two counts of involuntary manslaughter stemming from a traffic collision last summer near Vandenberg Air Force Base that caused the death of two people and the serious injury of a third.

Shaquille Lindsey, 23, of Covington, Georgia, was named in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury on Wednesday. Lindsey previously served at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc.

The indictment alleges two counts of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the combined influence of both alcohol and marijuana, and while using his cellphone. The third count alleges driving under the influence and causing bodily injury.

Lindsey allegedly drove his car into oncoming traffic and collided head on into the victim's vehicle, causing the death of the driver and his wife, and seriously injuring the driver's adult son.

The indictment alleges that on August 28, 2016, Lindsey was driving on Santa Lucia Canyon Road – allegedly going more than 15 miles above the speed limit – when his vehicle veered into the oncoming lane and collided head-on with the victim's car.

An indictment or criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Lindsey is expected to make his initial court appearance in United States District Court in Georgia in early July.

If convicted of the three offenses charged in the indictment, Lindsey would face a statutory maximum sentence of 18 years in federal prison.

The investigation of this case was conducted by the United States Air Force, Office of Special Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Joanna Curtis and Julian André.

Component(s): USAO – California, Central

Press Release Number: 17-133 Updated July 3, 2017

Central District of California DOJ / 17-133 / June 30, 2017