Man sentenced for deadly DUI hit-and-run crash that killed a Salinas resident on Highway 101
SALINAS, Calif. (KION) UPDATE ON JULY 27, 2023 AT 2:45 PM: A 21-year-old Greenfield man was sentenced to four years in state prison for a June 2022 DUI hit-and-run crash that killed someone, per Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni.
Andres Roque Espinoza was speeding, going faster than 90 mph in a Subaru WRX, and came up behind a 2002 Dodge Ram at three in the morning on Highway 101, north of Main Street. He rear-ended the pickup truck and sent it off the side of the highway, said CHP.
This resulted in the death of 41-year-old Norbert Azevedo Jr. who was on his way to work at the time of the crash. Espinoza fled the scene and was later found at his home in Greenfield where he admitted to driving the Subaru involved in the crash from earlier in the day, said the Monterey County District Attorney's Office.
The four-year sentence was the maximum sentence available due to new legislation that directs the court’s discretion to impose lesser sentences for youthful offenders, said Pacioni.
DUI driver pleads guilty for deadly hit-and-run of Salinas resident on Highway 101
UPDATE ON JUNE 12, 2023 AT 2:18 PM: The Monterey County District Attorney's Office said a man pled guilty to a count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated that occurred on June 25, 2022.
A 41-year-old man was driving their 2002 Dodge Ram north on Highway 101, just North of Main Street, when Andres Roque Espinoza, 20 at the time, came up behind him and hit and rear-ended him, said CHP. This caused the Dodge to rotate and overturn toward the right shoulder.
Espinoza drove off and was found by CHP officers at his Greenfield home several hours later. He told officers he did drive home earlier in the morning on Highway 101 in Salinas, but denied knowing he hit another vehicle.
A breath alcohol test revealed that Espinoza had a blood alcohol concentration of .08, a BAC of 0.08% or higher if you are over 21 years old is over the legal limit.
The victim was identified as Norbert Azevedo Jr., who the district attorney's office was on his way to work at the time of the crash. He was declared dead on the scene.
Espinoza faces 10 years in state prison at his sentencing hearing, per the district attorney's office.
ORIGINAL STORY
CHP said that a 20-year-old man from Greenfield was suspected of being under the influence when he crashed with a Salinas resident, resulting in their death, and drove off on Saturday.
A 41-year-old man was driving their 2002 Dodge Ram north on Highway 101 when Andres Roque Espinoza, 20, came up behind him and hit the rear of his car, said CHP. This caused the Dodge to rotate and overturn toward the right shoulder.
The driver continued in his Subaru, and CHP eventually arrested him. CHP believes drugs and alcohol played a part in the crash.
Medical aid was attempted on the 41-year-old but they died of their injuries on the scene.
This crash happened northbound on Highway 101 north of Main Street at 3:17 a.m. CHP said they believe drugs and alcohol played a role in the crash, but it is still being investigated.
According to CHP, Roque Espinoza was taken to the hospital for minor injuries resulting from this crash.
