Deadly first date. Las Lomas man sentenced
A 23-year-old Las Lomas man is facing more than four years behind bars for a DUI collision that killed a woman on their first date, according to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office.
A judge sentenced Rafael Rangel to four years, four months in California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, calling the case a horrible tragedy.
The collision on August 6, 2016 killed 18-year-old Dayazu Becerraric, about 15 days after they first met.
Rangel drank beer at his house before picking up the teen in Salinas. As they headed back to Las Lomas for dinner, Rangel continued to drink alcohol while driving.
On the way, Rangel misjudged a turn in the road and launched the vehicle off a bridge. The car landed on its roof. Bercerraric died at the scene. No alcohol was found in her system, according to the press release issued by the D.A.’s office. Rangel had major injuries. First responders used the jaws of life to extract them both from the vehicle.
Rangel had a blood alcohol level .11. Alcoholic beverages were found scattered in and around the car. He will be eligible for parole after serving 85 percent of his sentence.
