Rafael Espinoza Moreno, 27, was sentenced to 19 years and 8 months after pleading no contest to charges stemming from the Aug. 14 crash that killed Esmeralda Ramirez of Baldwin Park, prosecutors said.
Ramirez was walking to church with her boyfriend at about 2:30 p.m. when Moreno, who was later found to have a blood-alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit, lost control of the 2005 Jeep Laredo he was driving, travelling onto the sidewalk along Baldwin Park Boulevard near Stewart Street and fatally striking Ramirez, Baldwin Park police Lt. David Reynoso said.
Ramirez was pronounced dead at the scene.
"Alcohol and excessive speed were factors in this collision," Reynoso said. "Moreno had never been issued a California driver’s license but had previously received a citation for driving with no license and speeding. Moreno had also been previously deported and was in the country illegally at the time of the crime."
Moreno fled the crash scene and was found hiding about two blocks away, police said.
"It appears Moreno was in the process of telephoning his family members to pick him up so he can elude arrest," Reynoso said.
The crash occurred on Moreno’s birthday.
Wow, 19 years. This should be enough to stop people from drinking and driving. a DUI is expensive and you can kill someone if you drive intoxicated. People- DONT DRINK AND DRIVE!