Manteca Man Sentenced to 40 Years to Life for Fatal Shooting of Amazon Truck Driver on I-5 in Lathrop

San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas announces that Andrew Watson, convicted of the brazen murder of an Amazon semi-truck driver on June 15, 2023, has been sentenced to the maximum allowable term of 40 years to life. A jury previously found Watson guilty of second-degree murder with a firearm enhancement (PC 12022.53(d)) and shooting at an occupied vehicle (PC 246) with an additional firearm enhancement.

On June 15, 2023, at 12:45 p.m., Watson merged onto northbound Interstate 5 from State Route 120 and initiated a deadly encounter. Dash camera footage revealed him swerving erratically, cutting into the slow lane, and positioning his vehicle alongside the victim’s truck. In a shocking act of violence, Watson fired multiple shots, one fatally striking the driver in the head. The victim’s truck careened off the freeway, crashing into a nearby building, while Watson fled.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Detective Jason Lachaussee investigated, piecing together evidence from surveillance videos, dash cameras, witness accounts, and a partial license plate. Bank and cell phone records confirmed Watson’s presence at the scene at 12:46 p.m., and gunshot residue in his vehicle sealed his guilt.

“This was a cold-blooded act that stole a life and endangered our community,” said District Attorney Ron Freitas. “The maximum sentence of 40 years to life reflects the severity of this crime and our commitment to justice for the victim and his family, who are left in unimaginable grief. I am grateful to the CHP and my prosecution team for their relentless pursuit of justice.”

Deputy District Attorney Kathy Murray skillfully prosecuted the case, with Samantha Hills providing critical support in witness coordination. Victim Advocate Laura Reeves ensured the victim’s out-of-state family remained informed and supported throughout the process. The family, unable to attend the trial, was present for Watson’s sentencing on September 23, 2025, in Department 8A.

District Attorney Freitas and the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office extend deep gratitude to Detective Jason Lachaussee and the CHP for their exceptional investigative work, as well as to DDA Kathy Murray, Samantha Hills, and Victim Advocate Laura Reeves for their dedication to securing justice for the victim and his family.