Wrong-way driver faces murder charges

A Sacramento man who reportedly killed a Loomis motorist while driving the wrong way on Interstate 80 last Tuesday will now face murder charges.According to court documents, Visiliy Popov, Jr., 25, had originally been charged with suspicion of vehicular man-slaughter, hit and run resulting in death and driving under the influence in a fatal head-on crash that killed single father Michael Moore, 31."We reviewed the case and based on prior charges, the nature of the driving and two recent DUI convictions we've charged him with second-degree murder," said Stepha-nie Macumber, deputy district attorney for Placer County.Popov's blood-alcohol level was .23, nearly three times the legal limit, Macumber said.The Russian-born suspect was in an Au-burn courtroom Thurs-day afternoon. Judge Richard McElhaney changed Popov's bail status from $300,000 to no bail and held off on further court proceedings until a certified Russian interpreter could be in the courtroom.According to Kelly Baraga of the California Highway Patrol, Popov was driving a Chevrolet Silverado eastbound on the freeway just before 5 p.m. Tuesday when he made a U-turn near the Rocklin Road exit.The truck then proceeded westbound against traffic at a high rate of speed, forcing numerous cars to swerve out of the way, investigators said.Popov's truck hit a 1997 Toyota Corolla driven by Moore, Baraga said. It is believed Moore was killed on impact.Moore was on his way to Penryn Oaks Preschool in Loomis to pick up his 9-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son. He never made it. "You never expect to be involved in letting kids know what happened to their father," said Lily Gallagher, director of the preschool. "It all seems so unfair. He is all they had."Gallagher has cared for Moore's two children for several years and was in the courtroom Thursday. "I'm doing this for Michael and the kids," she said. "He would have wanted me here."She said Moore was an upbeat person and took great care of his two children, of whom he had full custody. Their mother reportedly had supervised visitation with them. The two are now in the care of Child Protective Services awaiting their grandparents' arrival. However, it is not clear if the children will be taken out of the area to live with them in Arizona.Michelle Bobst, of Citrus Heights, was in also in court Thursday. Her husband and Moore worked together as welders at NMI Welding in Woodland. Bobst had planned to visit Popov after the proceedings. She said outside the courtroom that she wanted to confront the suspect."(Popov) took everything from the children," Bobst said. "I want to ask him why?"Bobst cried as she tried to come to grips with the fact that her friend is dead. "I can't believe that he's gone," she said.Upon learning that the suspect spoke very little English, Bobst changed her mind about visiting Popov.When asked if he'd like to hire an attorney, Popov did reply, "yes," however it appeared that he did not completely understand the question. He is to return to court at 1 p.m. Friday to be formally arraigned. If convicted on the second-degree murder charge, Popov could face 15 years to life in prison.Penne Usher can be reached at penneu@goldcountrymedia.com.