A 20-year-old motorist has pleaded guilty to hit and run in the death of retired attorney Robert “Bob” Gustafson, who was killed Feb. 13 while walking his dogs in National City.
The guilty plea by Efrain Gabriel Black occurred on only his second appearance in Chula Vista Superior Court. Sentencing is set for March 27. He remains in the George Bailey Detention Facility without bail.
Black faces up to four years in state prison, said Deputy District Attorney Thomas McClain. He could also be placed on probation with local jail time or a 2-3 year term in prison. McClain said he was driving between 5 to 15 mph over the speed limit before he struck Gustafson, 81, around 7 p.m.
Black was not charged with vehicular manslaughter, and only accused of hitting Gustafson and leaving the scene of an accident. Black turned himself in to National City Police the next day. Gustafson was a familiar sight walking his little dogs, according to neighbors.
Gustafson worked as an attorney for 54 years and had an office in Chula Vista. He later practiced law from his home in National City, according to his obituary. He worked in the Navy legal service office in Oakland, San Francisco, and elsewhere. He was transferred to San Diego in 1974, and was active in his church home at St. Matthew’s Episcopal
Church in National City. He had a military inurnment at Miramar National Cemetery.
