Rep. Capps Focus of Questions in Fatal DUI Crash

Santa Barbara Congresswoman Lois Capps is being asked a long list of questions in connection with a suspected fatal drunk driving crash involving a former staff member.

Raymond Morua was arrested December 6, several blocks from the spot where 27 year old Mallory Dies was hit on Anacapa St. She died five days later from her injuries.

Morua is facing several charges including second degree murder.

Court records show he has two prior DUI arrests, a hit and run, and an embezzlement conviction.

An attorney for the Dies family, Robert Stoll of Santa Barbara, says he will be filing a claim with the House of Representatives in connection with the fatal collision, because, he believes Morua was working on behalf of Capps the night of the accident.

Stoll is also sending Capps a letter to preserve evidence in the case.

That includes computer hard drives, incident reports, Morua’s time sheets and personnel files, photos, and office policy manuals.

Stoll says some of the criteria for hiring and reviewing personnel needs to be reviewed and go through changes. He says different procedures exist in different offices.

Capps has released a statement saying she is working with Capitol Police to conduct background checks on new employees, as well as current employees. She also says there is a standard process for interviews and reference checks already.

Morua is an Iraq war veteran who was specializing in veteran’s issues while working in the office.

He was an invited guest to a holiday party on December 5, and just after midnight, police say he left a city parking lot two blocks from the accident scene.

After the collision, Morua reported drove away until he collided with a tree and was arrested.

Investigators say his blood alcohol level was .17 more than twice the legal drinking limit.

He is facing several felony charges including second degree murder. He has yet to enter a plea in Superior Court. That is expected at a court hearing in January.