Yuba City, CA – A tragic incident has culminated in a guilty plea from Larry Lee Anderson Jr., 50, of Plumas Lake, who admitted in Yuba County Superior Court on Friday to the murder of a local high school assistant football coach following a fatal traffic collision earlier this year.
Shane Bunn, 34, an assistant coach at Lindhurst High School, was killed instantly on Feb. 26 when his vehicle was struck and sent into an irrigation canal after Anderson, driving at a dangerously high speed and under the influence of alcohol, attempted an ill-advised maneuver on Feather River Blvd.
District Attorney Clint Curry of Yuba County expressed his relief at the resolution of the case, noting Anderson’s acceptance of responsibility and acknowledgment of his actions. This plea, he stated, spares Bunn’s family the prolonged anguish of a trial. The court has scheduled Anderson’s sentencing for Sept. 11, where he is expected to receive 15 years to life in prison.
The fatal series of events unfolded when Anderson attempted to overtake a slower vehicle and Bunn’s Honda CRV at over 100 mph, attempting to pass between the two. In doing so, Anderson clipped the slower vehicle and collided with Bunn’s car, launching it off the road. Anderson’s vehicle also collided with a third car before coming to rest in a nearby orchard.
After the crash, Anderson fled the scene. He was found hiding hours later by Yuba County Sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol officers. Tests conducted nearly six hours post-accident showed that Anderson had a blood alcohol level of .16%, twice the legal limit.
The meticulous investigation led by Yuba County District Attorney Chief Investigator Brandt Lowe and CHP Officer Jeremy Quigley utilized data from Anderson’s vehicle and cell phone. Their investigation revealed that Anderson had stopped to buy hard liquor multiple times that day. Additionally, authorities uncovered his history of three prior DUI convictions in California, underscoring his awareness of the risks associated with drinking and driving.
The legal proceedings concluded with Anderson pleading guilty to charges of murder, driving under the influence causing injury, and felony hit-and-run.
As the community mourns the loss of Shane Bunn, the case serves as a grim reminder of the devastating consequences of impaired and reckless driving. Local officials and safety advocates may likely intensify calls for stricter DUI enforcement and improved road safety measures following this tragic incident. Meanwhile, the plea agreement, potentially reducing a sentence from 18 years to a minimum of 15 years, reflects the complex considerations of justice served and the ongoing quest for public safety.