Judge gives go-ahead for trial for man accused of killing three people in a drunken driving crash on Highway 99.

A Merced County judge has found ample evidence to try a 43-year-old Alameda County man accused of driving drunk and killing three people.

Martin Magallenes Deleon allegedly caused a July 18, 2009 crash on Highway 99, south of Worden Avenue. It was the deadliest crash reported in Merced County last year.

After hearing testimony from California Highway Patrol officers during a preliminary hearing Wednesday, Judge Brian McCabe decided to move the case forward to trial. Deleon's next court hearing is scheduled for Aug. 12, according to Deputy District Attorney Steven Slocum, prosecutor in the case.

Deleon, who already had one prior DUI conviction from 2001, faces a deluge of charges, the most serious of which are three counts of second-degree murder.

Chief Public Defender Eric Dumars, Deleon's attorney, declined comment when asked about the case.

According to the CHP, Deleon lost control of his 2000 Nissan X-Terra while driving in the fast lane on northbound Highway 99 at about 70 mph. The X-Terra drifted to the left, traveling across the grass center median. Deleon's car collided head-on with a 2000 Ford Mustang, and the Mustang collided with a 2002 Chevy Tahoe.

Three people in the Mustang were pronounced dead at the scene. The dead were identified as 12-year-old Christopher Mata, 26-year-old Gabino Romero-Robles and 21-year-old Ricardo Romero-Robles, all of Orosi.

Deleon's blood alcohol concentration was 0.180 percent, above the state's 0.08 percent legal limit. A second test determined his BAC was 0.185 percent, according to the CHP.

If convicted, Deleon faces a 15-years-to-life prison term. He remains at the Merced County Jail without bail.

Reporter Victor A. Patton can be reached at (209) 385-2431 or vpatton@mercedsun-star.com.