Attorney for wife of Valley cheese magnate says he wants to resolve her DUI case soon
The attorney for Lori Rossi Gallo, who is charged with driving drunk and causing a multi-car crash in downtown Merced in January, is hopeful her case may soon be resolved.
The 46-year-old Gallo appeared in court Thursday for a pre-preliminary hearing before Judge Carol Ash.
Peter Jones, Gallo’s Fresno attorney, asked the judge for a one month continuance so he can thoroughly review the Merced police body cam video taken the night of the crash.
Jones said he has been in regular communication with the district attorney about a pre-trial resolution. “We are moving in the direction of resolving this case,” Jones said.
A prominent Merced County resident, Gallo is married to Michael Gallo, CEO of Merced County-based Joseph Gallo Farms, an industry leader in the production of cheese.
Lori Gallo was arrested by Merced police on Jan. 22 after allegedly driving a Maserati down G Street at 125 mph. She has pleaded not guilty.
Police said she side-swiped a Lexus that was traveling south as she was approaching Cardella Road. She is also accused of hitting a Honda that was stopped at the intersection.
Both the Maserati and Lexus went into a ditch several hundred feet away, police said, and another car was damaged after hitting a wheel and tire that had been torn off the Gallo’s vehicle.
Gallo is charged with two felonies, driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury and driving with a .08% blood alcohol content causing injury.
Jones reminded the judge that Gallo has been diligently attending Alcoholics Anonymous classes three times a week since Jan. 25.
And she began participating in a recovery program in May, Jones said.
Ash acknowledged Gallo’s positive progress.
Gallo declined to comment after the hearing. She is expected to be back in court on Aug. 11 for the continuation of her hearing.
This story was originally published June 23, 2022 at 11:17 AM.
