Man Pleads Guilty to Vehicular Homicide in Death of Georgia State Trooper

Gerson Danilo Ayala-Rodriguez, 21, of Norcross, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to first-degree vehicular homicide in the death of Georgia State Trooper Jimmy Cenescar. Alongside the felony charge, Ayala-Rodriguez was convicted on multiple misdemeanor counts, including reckless driving, speeding, driving without a license, operating a vehicle without insurance, and operating an unregistered vehicle. As part of the plea agreement, Ayala-Rodriguez will serve 17 years in prison.

Trooper Cenescar, who was 29, died on January 28 when his patrol car veered off the road on I-85 south of State Route 317, crashing down a steep embankment. The accident occurred after Cenescar pursued Ayala-Rodriguez, who was riding a Honda CBR 1000 motorcycle at speeds of up to 140 mph. Ayala-Rodriguez had ignored the trooper’s police lights and was weaving through traffic before the fatal chase.

Chief Assistant District Attorney John Melvin stated, “I would like to thank the State Patrol and the Gwinnett County Police Department for the outstanding investigation and collaboration. Together, these agencies ensured justice for the Cenescar family.”

Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson remarked, “We tragically lost a young State Trooper as a result of the defendant’s reckless driving. Ultimately, the defendant accepted responsibility for his actions in this, although it cannot bring back Trooper Cenescar. We hope this serves as a message to drivers and motorcyclists to drive within the safe bounds of the law.”