WINNEMUCCA — The man who fatally struck a pedestrian in the parking lot of Khoury’s Market on September 17 was in 6^th Judicial District Court on Friday (Feb. 10) to change his plea.

John Farley, 31, pleaded no contest to DUI causing death, a Category B felony.  For the purpose of sentencing, a no contest plea is treated the same as a guilty plea by the court.

A sentencing hearing was set for 1:30 p.m. April 9.  Farley faces 2-20 years in prison and mandatory fines of $2,000 - $5,000.   This is not a charge for which probation is an option.

Farley was scheduled to go before the jury on January 31, but the defendant accepted the negotiated settlement by the state, which did not reduce the charge.

Antonia Solis, 73, was crossing the parking lot of Khoury’s Market on Sept. 17, 2011 when she was struck by Farley’s pickup truck.  She died on Sept. 23, 2011 as a result of head injuries.

According to previous testimony, Farley was out all night drinking and was driving another person home when the fatality occurred.  A blood draw taken shortly after showed his blood alcohol content (BAC) was .16 – twice the legal limit for driving.

Farley is in custody at the Humboldt County Detention Center on $100,809 bail.

Previous Posts:

Man charged in parking lot fatality arraigned 

Farley case bound over to district court 

Victim in parking lot accident dies 

Woman on life support following vehicle v pedestrian accident; driver charged with DUI