BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — One of two men arrested in connection to a fiery crash that killed two sisters who were delivering newspapers in south Bakersfield accepted a plea deal Tuesday, agreeing to testify at his co-defendant’s trial.<\/p>\n
Gustavo Montoya pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and faces a year in jail and felony probation. Other charges were dismissed.<\/p>\n
His sentencing was set for Dec. 16 — the trial of co-defendant Tevin Brandt is expected to have concluded by then.<\/p>\n
Montoya, wearing blue jeans and a black T-shirt with text that read “Give All Glory to God” on the back, told Judge Tiffany Organ-Bowles he understood the terms of the deal, including that he’s required to testify at Brandt’s trial.<\/p>\n
After accepting his plea, Organ-Bowles sent Brandt and his public defenders to the courtroom of Judge Gloria Cannon for an estimated 20-day trial. It was not immediately clear when opening statements will be heard.<\/p>\n
Brandt is facing charges including two counts of second-degree murder and is looking at a life term in prison if convicted.<\/p>\n
Early on March 4, 2023, Brandt, who had been out bar-hopping the night before, noticed his cellphone was missing and used an app to track it.<\/p>\n
Montoya, an Uber driver who had given him a ride, joined in the search.<\/p>\n
The two drove separately to an area where the app indicated Brandt’s phone was located and saw a vehicle occupied by three sisters \u2014 Karime and Jennifer Duarte and Diana Ponce. They were delivering newspapers.<\/p>\n
Believing the sisters had Brandt’s phone, the men allegedly confronted and, when the sisters drove off, chased them.<\/p>\n
The sisters, in an attempt to get away, sped to the end of McKee Road and barreled onto Highway 99, where their vehicle was hit by a pickup and burst into flames, according to court documents.<\/p>\n