Man sentenced to 7 years, 8 months for 2024 Salinas deadly DUI crash
SALINAS, Calif. (KION) -- A Salinas man has been sentenced for gross vehicular manslaughter and DUI in a deadly crash from 2024.
According to the Superior Court of Monterey County, Jose Sanchez was sentenced to seven years, eight months for the death of 77-year-old Virginio Cortez, who was fixing a tire for his granddaughter on the side of Highway 101 near Laurel Drive.
Sanchez had struck Cortez and his granddaughter, who survived, on the afternoon of July 24.
Sanchez was found to have a blood alcohol level of .220 at the time of the crash.
The sentencing was less than the maximum 11 years and 8 months the Cortez family had sought.
“I was at first disappointed, but also when you look from the perspective of the presiding judge, honorable hood, his his outcome was based off of judgment on both parties. It did give me a different perspective, seeing the the amount of pain that the defendant caused to our family," says the son of Virginio Cortez, Jose Cortez.
Salinas man pleads no contest in 2024 deadly DUI crash
SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- A Salinas man pleaded no contest to charges in a DUI crash from July 2024 that left one man dead.
Jose Sanchez had pleaded no contest to one count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and one count of driving under the influence.
The crash happened on July 20, 2024, after 1:00 p.m. as Sanchez traveled on Highway 101 Southbound through Salinas. Those driving around that time noticed weaving in and out of traffic in a black Acura TL.
Sanchez struck the victim Virginio Cortez on the side of the road south of Laurel Drive. Cortez was changing a tire on his granddaughter's car.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. Sanchez also struck Cortez's daughter, injuring her.
CHP was found to have a blood alcohol level of .220, over twice the legal limit.
Sanchez did admit to having a blood alcohol level above .15 at the time of the crash.
Sanchez is facing up to 11 years and 8 months in prison for the crash.
