FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — “We hope the defendant understands the gravity and seriousness of this offense,” Fresno County Prosecutor Christopher Moss said.<\/p>\n
In June, 40-year-old Luis Estanga was driving four passengers down Trimmer Springs Road, just north of Pine Flat Lake in Fresno County, when he lost control of his truck and drove down a 200-foot embankment.<\/p>\n
The California Highway Patrol says he was under the influence of alcohol.<\/p>\n
The crash killed 46-year-old Cristian Jaime and hospitalized three other passengers.<\/p>\n
“While there are no victims here today, it is very clear that this case was not only a tragedy, particularly as for Mr. Rojas, but also significantly impacted the other victims involved in this case,” Ross said.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday morning, Estanga was sentenced to five years in prison following a stipulated plea agreement, meaning the prosecutor and defense agreed on the charges prior to setting foot in this Fresno County courtroom.<\/p>\n
Estanga pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.<\/p>\n
Moss says there were some concerns after reading the probation report.<\/p>\n
“Upon interviewing the defendant found that the defendant did not show any remorse for his actions during the interview,” Moss said.<\/p>\n
The judge also emphasized that portion of the report and the concern’s Estanga expressed about his own recovery from the crash.
“That he has his own medical appointments regarding his arm and his hands and that he wishes the court to take those in consideration and certainly that is disturbing to hear,” a Fresno County judge said.<\/p>\n
The prosecutor and the judge are hopeful that Estanga will learn a lesson from this tragedy, feel remorse and make personal change.<\/p>\n
“He will eventually be released from prison and we hope he takes this sentencing and what occurred in this case to heart and makes better decisions in his life moving forward,” Moss said.<\/p>\n
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