SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
A man with a history of driving under the influence was convicted of murder in connection with a deadly crash in Sacramento near Southside Park last year.
A jury found Richard Newman guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Nathan Thomas, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office said on Monday.
The crash was reported around 11:50 p.m. on Aug. 21, 2025, in the area of 9th and T streets.
Newman, then age 33, ran a red light while driving 55 mph and hit Thomas’ vehicle in the middle of the intersection, the DA’s office said. The collision sent the victim’s car into a traffic pole.
Thomas died of his injuries on Sept. 11, 2025.
The DA’s office said Newman’s blood alcohol rate was 0.21% at the time of the collision. He had a prior DUI conviction, took a course offered by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and was given the Watson advisement that driving under the influence might lead to a charge of murder if someone is killed as a result of another DUI crash.
He faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years to life in prison. Sentencing is set for Nov. 20.
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