Seaside man convicted of murder for 8-year-old son’s death

A Seaside man has been convicted of second-degree murder for the high-speed chase that killed his 8-year-old son in 2010.

Zabdiel Solis Arciga, 36, got into an argument with his girlfriend around 11 a.m. on July 27, 2010 after drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana, according to Monterey County prosecutors.

He decided to leave his girlfriend’s house, taking his young son with him. A California State University Monterey Bay officer saw Arciga make an illegal lane change and went to conduct a traffic stop.

Instead, Arciga sped away for five miles on Highway 1, reaching speeds of 120 miles per hour. He attempted to exit on Fremont Street in Seaside, but lost control of his car and hit a guard rail with such force that his car split into two pieces. His son was killed.

Arciga’s blood alcohol level was between .12 and .16 at the time, and tests showed there was marijuana and methamphetamine in his system. He’d had a prior DUI in 2005.

Arciga will be sentenced May 14 and is expected to receive a prison sentence of 15 years to life.