Man pleads no contest to gross vehicular manslaughter in Oildale crash that killed passenger

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A man who had faced a murder charge in connection with a chase that led to a deadly crash in Oildale pleaded no contest Tuesday to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and faces 25 years in prison.

James Everett Thomas also pleaded no contest to recklessly evading a peace officer and vehicle theft. The other charges were dismissed.

Sentencing is scheduled Tuesday afternoon.

The events leading to the crash began on a September morning last year when deputies were alerted that a stolen brown Chevy Silverado had been seen in the Oildale area.

Soon after, two deputies saw a truck matching that description in the area of East Roberts Lane and Wisteria Street, according to the documents. They followed, and a chase ensued.

The stolen truck turned west into an alley between Decatur Street and Lincoln Avenue and sped up, the reports say. It hit another truck then slammed into a pole, knocking down power lines.

The pickup’s passenger, Renee Anette Stansbury, 38, was taken to Kern Medical, where she was pronounced dead.

Everett, the driver, had methamphetamine in his pants pocket, the reports say.

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