Man charged in drunken hit-and-run that killed Auburn cab driver

KENT, Wash. — Prosecutors said they have everything they need to prove a man hit and killed an Auburn cab driver and then tried to run away.

Prosecutors said 29-year-old Floyd Gonzales was drunk on July 5 when he was behind the wheel of an SUV, ran a red light, smashed into56-year-old Brian Love's cab and then flipped his SUV.

Authorities have several witnesses to the crash and said an Auburn police officer saw the crash in his rear-view mirror and narrowly missed being hit by the driver himself.

After the crash, Gonzales tried to run, leaving Love to die, police said.

While in court at the Regional Justice Center in Kent Monday morning, Gonzales seemed unaffected as the charges of vehicular homicide, hit-and-run and reckless endangerment were read.  Gonzales pleaded not guilty.

But Sheryl Combs, who was engaged to Love, was filled with emotion.

"He ruined Brian's life.  He killed him.  And he's ruined my life,” said Combs.

Love’s friend, Dennis Cuddy, was also at the hearing.

"(Love) drove the people (who were) drunk home for free, if he had to.  And then for a drunk to take him out is just -- and then to stand up there and say 'not guilty?’" said Cuddy.

The crash was not Gonzales’ first brush with the law.  In December, he finished a lengthy prison sentence for assault and kidnapping.

"Looking at his record, he's not going to change.  He's never going to change.  And I just pray that they lock him up and throw away the key,” said Combs.

If convicted, Gonzales could be sent to prison for at least a few years.

His bail remains at $1 million.

KIRO