San Diego, California – A man accused of driving under the influence and fleeing the scene after fatally hitting a pedestrian in University Heights has been ordered to stand trial on serious charges, including murder.
Brandon Allen Janik, 37, was apprehended nearly three months after allegedly running a red light and striking 47-year-old Joshua Gilliland, who tragically passed away from his injuries on June 14, 2023. Gilliland, a beloved bartender at Cheers on Adams Avenue, was reportedly on his way to work when the incident occurred.
Prosecutors were able to elevate the charges against Janik to murder due to a previous DUI conviction from 2016 in San Diego County. Testimonies from a preliminary hearing revealed that surveillance footage showed a BMW running the red light and hitting Gilliland as he crossed the street lawfully.
During the hearing, witnesses recalled assisting Janik out of his vehicle, where he appeared to be intoxicated. Janik reportedly acknowledged his previous DUI history to the group before driving away, allegedly striking Gilliland later that evening.
Further investigations uncovered that Janik had visited nearby bars and purchased alcohol on the day of the incident. Additionally, cell phone location data placed him at the scene of the collision during the time it occurred.
Detectives also found discrepancies in Janik’s accounts of damage to a BMW loaned to him by a local dealership, suggesting the damage was more consistent with hitting a pedestrian rather than a fence post. These findings, along with witness testimonies, led to the decision to proceed with a trial for Janik on charges related to Gilliland’s tragic death.