Yorba Linda Resident and Vietnam Veteran Dies
Yorba Linda resident and Vietnam Veteran, Gregory Gillaspy, 70, was killed after being hit by a driver suspected of DUI, while Gillaspy was walking across the street on Saturday, April 9, 2016.
“Deputies say they were called to the crash on Fairmont Boulevard and Lorca Lane at 7:34p.m., where they found the injured Gillaspy, who had apparently been crossing the street when a truck hit him,” said Lt. John Roche of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
The crash was at 7:30p.m. Saturday near Fairmont Boulevard and Lorca Lane, according to mynewsla.com. Gillaspy later died at Orange County Global Medical Center in Santa Ana from his injuries.
Gregory Gillaspy served two tours in Vietnam, from 1966-1967 and 1968. He was known for working to honor the military and pushing to add “In God We Trust” to the city council chamber walls, according to ocregister.com.
“The driver, identified by deputies as Jody Guerrero, 37, stayed at the scene as was found to be driving under the influence. He was arrested and booked on suspicion of homicide,” stated Lt. John Roche. He said Guerrero had a previous DUI conviction. Jail records show that Guerrero was being held with a $1 million bail at the Intake Release Center and is set to appear in court on Tuesday, April 12.
Gillaspy notably headed a campaign to make Yorba Linda a “red shirt city” in 2013. The move honors veterans and deployed personnel by wearing red every Friday. The tradition dates to World War II and is one Gillaspy, a U.S. Navy veteran, took to the Yorba Linda City Council, which unanimously approved it, according to ocregister.com
Rema Nawfal • May 1, 2016 at 4:32 pm
Poor man. Drunk driving is by far the worst, it’s so dumb.
Great article.
Evan Miller • Apr 21, 2016 at 1:54 pm
Mr. Gallaspy was a great man! He founded my and some other people at this school’s, old cub scout pack, pack 580.
Cissy Bai • Apr 14, 2016 at 8:48 pm
Feeling so sorry to Gregory Gullaspy…hope they would find out the murderer…
Great artical,thanks for the author!