SANTA ANA, Calif.—A 23-year-old man pleaded guilty Jan. 9 and was immediately sentenced to two years in prison for killing a pedestrian while driving too fast in Anaheim.
Juan Carlos Zavala of Fullerton pleaded guilty to a felony count of gross vehicular manslaughter and a misdemeanor count of driving on a suspended license. He accepted a plea deal from Orange County Superior Court Judge Andre Manssourian, who gave the defendant credit for 418 days behind bars awaiting trial.
Mr. Zavala killed 33-year-old Daniel Cameron in Anaheim on July 12, 2022. He was speeding and inattentive, according to prosecutors.
Mr. Cameron’s siblings said in court papers that the victim was a talented left-handed pitcher who played at Irvine Valley College and received a scholarship to play in Nebraska.
Mr. Cameron was an Anaheim native, who had five siblings and was a passionate fan of the Los Angeles Angels.
“Growing up, we spent a good portion of our childhood around Daniel’s baseball schedule,” said Bailey Lyn Cameron in a victim impact statement. “My parents, grandparents, siblings and I would be at every game cheering him on.”
More recently “he devoted his life to taking care of our 91-year-old grandmother,” Bailey Cameron said. “He lived with her and was there for everything she needed.”
Mr. Cameron was “incredibly smart, especially in math” and was “very family oriented,” his sister said. “He loved being an uncle. His face would light up when I would bring my kids over to see him.”
Another sister, Melissa Cameron, said she had a “special bond” with her younger brother.
“My brother had the biggest blue eyes, light blonde hair, and the biggest smile,” she said.
Mr. Cameron stayed in the hospital overnight to look after his grandfather and when he died he “dedicated his life to being the sole caretaker for my grandma,” Melissa Cameron said.
