From County of El Dorado District Attorney:
Her party ended two lives. Megan Hickel photo of trial from World News
10/30/2015 — South Lake Tahoe, Calif. On June 15, 2015, El Dorado County Superior Court Presiding Judge Suzanne Kingsbury sentenced 28 year old Megan Hickel to a state prison sentence of 12 years for killing victims Richard Schwab, 48 and Kelly Christine Schwab, 49, both of Dixon, California.
Hickel pled guilty to two counts of Penal Code section 191.5 (a), gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
On the evening of July 4th 2014, after viewing a Fourth of July fireworks display in South Lake Tahoe, Richard Schwab and his wife Kelly Schwab were returning home to Dixon on Highway 50 when their motorcycle was struck in a cross-over collision by Hickel’s vehicle going in the opposite direction in the Twin Bridges area. The Schwabs were killed instantly.
The case was investigated by the California Highway Patrol, California Highway Patrol MAIT (Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation) Team and El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy District Attorney Michael P. Pizzuti, who prosecuted the case, said the confinement time was the maximum allowed by law because Hickel had no prior criminal record. Deputy District Attorney Pizzuti is assigned to vertically prosecute felony driving under the influence cases and vehicular manslaughter cases for the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office under a traffic safety grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety.
Rick was born in Union City, Pennsylvania on October 15, 1966 to Joseph and Delores Schwab. Kelly was born in La Mesa, California on November 12, 1965 to James Anthony and Beryl Bridges.
Both served proudly in the U.S. Air Force. Rick was passionate about music, whether playing in a band or just listening. Kelly was larger than life and was passionate about photography. Rick and Kelly were rarely apart and loved spending time with family and friends. They enjoyed camping, going to concerts and especially doting on their grandchildren.
They are survived by their 3 children, Larrisa(28), Derrek (26)(Ally) and Jared(14); grandchildren, Lila Belle(4) and Zacharry (2); Rick’s mother, Jean; Kelly’s mother, Beryl; Rick’s sister, Sharon (Jacob) and Kelly’s brother, Todd (Katie); Survivors also include numerous extended family and countless friends.
A Memorial Service will be 10:00 A.M. Thursday, July 17, 2014 at Valley Church 5063 Maple Road in Vacaville. A Graveside Service will follow at 1:30 P.M. at Sacramento Valley VA National Cemetery in Dixon where they will both receive military honors. A Celebration of Life will be at 5:30 P.M. at the Dixon American Legion 1305 N. 1st Street in Dixon.
