A 22-year-old man has been charged with leading police on a pursuit and later crashing into a landscaper walking on Pacific Coast Highway, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced. Deputy District Attorney Paul Seo said Kevin James Hicks (dob 6/22/95) faces one felony count each of vehicular manslaughter, fleeing a pursuing peace officer's motor vehicle causing death and driving or taking a vehicle without consent with a prior and one misdemeanor count of driving when privilege suspended or revoked. The criminal complaint alleges Hicks was convicted earlier this year of grand theft auto in Kern County. Arraignment is scheduled today in Department 100 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Van Nuys Branch. Case LA087357 was filed on Dec. 7. On Nov. 29, Hicks is charged with driving a stolen Mazda 6 on PCH and then leading police on a pursuit after initially pulling over near Ramirez Mesa Drive. Police allegedly stopped pursuing the defendant as he drove at a high rate of speed soon before crashing into Juan Castillo, 28, who was walking on the right shoulder, the prosecutor said. If convicted as charged, Hicks faces a possible maximum sentence of 12 years and 10 months in state prison. Bail is set at $180,000. The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Lost Hills Station.

Los Angeles District Attorney / Case LA087357 / December 14, 2017