A man in Monterey County accused of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated was sentenced to 12 years and 8 months in California state prison, prosecutors said on August 21.
The crash, which happened Feb. 2017, involved Nicanor De Jesus Sanchez, 23.
Driving with a blood-alcohol content of 0.23 percent, Sanchez crashed through a road closure gate on a bridge east of Greenfield. The car spun out of control striking three pedestrians and throwing them into the Salinas River.
Two of the victims were severely injured but managed to make their way to the riverbank. The third, Julian Lopez, was carried downstream. His body has not been found.
Sanchez entered a plea to all charges during the third day of jury
trial.
By Nuria Marquez.
