Trial begins for Woods

A Huntington Beach man accused of killing a 14-year-old boy is facing trial more than two years after the incident.

Jeffrey Woods, 22, is charged with one felony count of vehicular manslaughter by unlawful acts with gross negligence while intoxicated and one count of driving under the influence causing bodily harm. The charges hold a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison.

The judge dismissed the charge of driving under the influence Oct. 6.

Danny Oates was riding his bike along Indianapolis Avenue and Everglades Lane about noon with a friend when Woods allegedly crossed into the bike lane on the wrong side of the road and hit Danny with his pick-up truck Aug. 29, 2007.

Danny was thrown 150 feet and died on impact, according to a release from the Orange County district attorney’s office.

Woods then allegedly crashed into a palm tree and went through a wall before stopping in a resident’s backyard.

Woods is accused of speeding and driving under the influence of Vicodin and Xanax. He was also allegedly distracted by text messaging at the time of the collision.

Woods pleaded not guilty to all charges in December and has been out on $100,000 bail.

Opening arguments began Oct. 8 and Danny’s supporters packed the courtroom, said Paul Oates, Danny’s father.

“My stomach’s upside down. I can’t sleep ... I’m looking forward to the day it is done,” he has said.

The trial could last until as late as Nov. 4, Paul Oates said.