Eric Ramos Cortez, 27, was convicted in San Diego Superior Court of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated for the Dec. 20, 2021, crash that killed 54-year-old Sarah Lombardi
Judge Cindy Davis speaks with Crystal Jenkins, 51, via Zoom during Behavioral Health Court at the Superior Court of California on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022 in San Diego, California. Jenkins is in the San Diego Behavioral Health Court program.
The program is designed for adults who would benefit from court-ordered treatment rather than incarceration.A former Navy sailor who drove drunk and the wrong way on Interstate 8 in Point Loma, crashing head-on into another vehicle and killing its driver, was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in state prison. Eric Ramos Cortez, 27, was convicted in San Diego Superior Court of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated for the Dec. 20, 2021, crash that killed 54-year-old Sarah Lombardi. Ramos was facing a murder charge at trial, but jurors acquitted him of that count. Prosecutors say Ramos had a 0.18 percent blood-alcohol level — more than twice the legal driving limit in California — when his vehicle slammed into Lombardi’s car on the freeway, just east of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard about 11:30 p.m. At the time, Ramos’ SUV was heading east on the westbound side of Interstate 8. Lombardi, who left behind a husband and teenage son, was driving home from her job at Kansas City Barbeque in downtown San Diego when the crash occurred. Deputy District Attorney Hailey Williams said at Wednesday’s sentencing hearing that Ramos refused multiple offers from acquaintances to sleep over to avoid driving while intoxicated. The prosecutor said the maximum prison term of 10 years was warranted due to repeated safety training Ramos received in the military that warned of the dangers of drunken driving, including one such safety briefing he attended three days before the fatal crash. Defense attorney Jay Monico said the training his client received did not provide much more extensive knowledge of the consequences of drunken driving than the average civilian. Monico argued at trial that what happened was “a tragic accident” and “a case of gross vehicular manslaughter, but not murder.” Monico argued Wednesday for probation and said Ramos was “extremely remorseful” and determined to warn others of the dangers of drinking and driving.He said, “I wish I could take back my actions from that night every single day. I understand my apology won’t bring back a mother, a sister, a daughter, and a wife.”Ka’anapali resort on West Maui makes a comebackPlans for a new Little Italy hotel and wellness center overcome objections from San Diego airportPadres notes: Luis Arraez to sit out All-Star game; Joe Musgrove, Fernando Tatis Jr. updatesAll the Padres’ exes in Texas for All-Star Game
Please follow us on Google to support us United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Burr Ridge deputy chief suspended after DUI arrest in Virginia, refusal to take DUI testBurr Ridge Deputy Police Chief Ryan Husarik is on unpaid leave and will remain so until July 26 following an arrest for driving while intoxicated in Dumfries, Virginia earlier this year.
Read more »
Former Dave Matthews Band Member Boyd Tinsley Arrested for DUIBoyd Tinsley, a violist of Dave Matthews Band from 1992 to 2018, has been arrested for a DUI in Rio, Virginia.
Read more »
Former Navy captain tells Congress of decades-long U.S. intelligence failures on ChinaU.S. intelligence agencies are guilty of multiple failures to address threats posed by China over the past 40 years, resulting in current existential dangers to American security, a former Navy intelligence director told Congress on Wednesday.
Read more »
Two Former Navy Football Players Earn Pat Tillman Foundation ScholarshipsParish Gaines and Jude Akpunku are currently continuing their studies after their graduation from the Naval Academy a few years ago.
Read more »
Utah's Point of the Mountain seeks new point man following departure of executive directorThe Point of the Mountain State Land Authority has kicked off a nationwide search for a new executive director after long-time director Alan Matheson accepted a new position last week.
Read more »
Former USC receiver Jordan Addison, now with Vikings, arrested near LAX for alleged DUIThe Minnesota Vikings player was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving after being caught asleep at the wheel near LAX, authorities said Sunday.
Read more »