MALIBU—A Venice man, Kevin James Hicks, 23, of Venice was sentenced to 14 year and four months in prison, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Hicks entered a plea of no contest to one felony count each of fleeing a pursuing peace officer’s motor vehicle causing death, driving or taking a vehicle without consent with a prior, assault with a deadly weapon and DUI causing injury. He was immediately sentenced on Friday, October 12.

Hicks was involved in a deadly police chase on November 29, 2017, while driving a stolen Mazda 6 on the Pacific Coast Highway. Authorities attempted to pull over Hicks near Zuma Beach and Ramirez Mesa Drive when the pursuit started. Officials called off the pursuit after deeming it too dangerous.

While driving at a fast speed, Hicks struck and killed Juan Castillo, 28, a gardener, on the 27500 block of Pacific Coast Highway. Castillo was hit while taking out the trash at a nearby house while working. Not long after, the car skidded and crashed into three parked cars and a fire erupted. According to reports, paramedics saved Hicks from the burning car where he suffered moderate injuries.

The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Lost Hills Station.