The man believed to be behind the wheel during a fatal crash on the Northside has a long history of offenses.
WOKV obtained the incident report for the crash on E Airport Center Drive last night. It says 25-year-old David Matilla may have been under the influence of alcohol and was operating the car “in a careless or negligent manner” at the time of the crash. JSO says Matilla is believed to have been traveling at a “high rate of speed” when he lost control, crossed the median, went airborne, and landed upside down on another car.
Both Matilla and his passenger, 25-year-old Samantha Sanchez, were ejected- neither were wearing seatbelts. Sanchez was pronounced dead at the scene. JSO says Matilla tried to run away, but was stopped by several people in the area.
A state driver’s license check shows Matilla’s license was “suspended, revoked, canceled, or disqualified”. WOKV searched jail records and learned Matilla has been arrested several times in the past six years for knowingly operating a car without an active license. He also has several drug charges, gun or ammunition charges, and probation violation arrests over that same time frame, according to jail records.
Matilla has now been arrested for probation violation on a felony gun charge, probation violation for a misdemeanor drug charge, and a writ of attachment for child support. No charges have been filed relating to the crash itself, which is still under investigation.
Three people were in the car which Matilla allegedly flipped on to- two 19-year-olds and an 8-month-old. One of the teens and the toddler suffered minor injuries. The crash report from JSO says they were all properly restrained.
