A mistrial has been declared for Charles K. Bandaki, 56 who was accused of killing a 22- year-old La Crescenta man over six years ago.
Bandaki was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Michael John Sartinky in a wrong way collision on the 210 Freeway on Aug. 29, 2000.
"The jury was deadlocked," said Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Robert Cheleden. "The 10 women on the jury voted not guilty, the two men voted him guilty."
According to reports, on the day of the accident Bandaki had rear-ended a tractor-trailer on the westbound 210 near Fair Oaks Avenue exit. The driver of the trailer pulled over to exchange information however Bandaki did not stop. When a California Highway Patrol officer arrived on the scene, Bandaki made a U-turn and headed east in the westbound lanes. His vehicle hit Sartinky's vehicle head on.
Future litigation is still being decided by the DA's office.
"We have learned that the defense will be asking to dismiss," Cheleden said, adding, "We don't want it to be dismissed. At this point we are evaluating our options."
Bandaki is held being held at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility.
