California driver charged with single-punch murder of deputy

A driver who was videotaped punching a 70-year-old San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy after a New Year’s Eve traffic accident has pleaded not guilty to his murder.

Alonzo Leron Smith pleaded not guilty to murder with special circumstances Wednesday in the off-duty death of Lawrence Falce (FAHL’-see).

Authorities say Smith, a 30-year-old gang member with a lengthy criminal history, was behind Falce’s car when the deputy slowed or stopped to avoid some dogs in the roadway Sunday morning.

Smith’s Ford Explorer rear-ended Falce’s car. The drivers got out and talked. Authorities say about a minute later, Smith punched the deputy in the face without warning and he went down, unconscious. He died two days later at a hospital.

The punch was captured on surveillance video from a nearby store.