Man faces life term after pleading no contest to all charges in deadly Hwy 65 crash
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — An accused drunken driver has pleaded no contest to all charges — including second-degree murder — filed in connection with a deadly crash on Highway 65 that took place more than two years ago.
William Pederson, 56, made the open plea Thursday in Superior Court. He faces up to 30 years to life in prison, plus 16 years, at his sentencing hearing in July, prosecutors said.
Neither the judge nor prosecutors agreed to anything in exchange for his plea, District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Daniela Gonzaga said.
Before his plea, Pederson had been set to stand trial next week for the crash that killed Juana Torres de Calderon, 53.
Early on Feb. 14, 2023, Pederson's Dodge Ram crossed double yellow lines and entered the opposing lane as he drove north on Highway 65, colliding with Torres de Calderon's vehicle just north of Famoso Road.
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Pederson told officers he was returning home to Porterville after spending time with family in Sacramento. He said he drank about a six-pack of Coors beer.
Preliminary tests showed his blood-alcohol content at 0.158 and 0.156%, according to court documents, nearly twice the legal limit.
Pederson told investigators he's been arrested four times on suspicion of drunken driving — twice as an adult and twice as a teen.
After being taken to Kern Medical for treatment of minor injuries, Pederson was asked if he could have avoided the collision if he hadn't been drinking.
'There's a very good possibility of it,' he said according to the documents.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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