A Concord man who struck and killed an 86-year-old man last Thanksgiving was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison.
Damian Lopez-Avelino was 19 and intoxicated when his vehicle struck another vehicle at Oak Grove and Ryan roads in Concord.
Police responded at 6:49 p.m. on Nov. 23 to a report of a two-vehicle crash at Treat Boulevard and Oak Grove Road in Concord. While at the scene, police determined a second crash happened a few blocks away.
Lopez-Avelino struck a second vehicle, in which Thomas O’Connell was a passenger. O’Connell was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
Police arrested Lopez-Avelino, who was charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI causing serious bodily injury, hit-and-run with injury, and driving a motor vehicle while unlicensed.
Lopez-Avelino reached a negotiated plea agreement with prosecutors on April 11, pleading guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving with a .08 blood alcohol content causing injury. Both charges carried enhancements.
Lopez-Avelino was sentenced to 12 years and eight months in prison, with credit for serving 139 days and another good conduct credit of 20 days.
Where’s the woke blather about too many persons of color disproportionately incarcerated ?
Where’s the woke blather citing equity . . . . . .
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Isn’t interesting, liberals seem to become color blind and not mention equity when it comes to drunk driving. How come that same standard doesn’t apply to all criminals committing crimes ? ?
Can’t socioeconomic rationalization be a factor inducing alcohol consumption to excess?
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Or is whining about equality and persons of color incarcerated little more than propaganda by a political party in an effort to gain votes ?
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Drunk driving criminal penalties seem to be immune from liberals . . . . . . .
There’s a lot of uncomfortable truth that Original G is saying!
I guess the “complexion protection” only works when convenient.
I have mixed feelings about this. Only 12 years? Youngster makes a huge mistake and takes the life of an 86 year old. He’ll have plenty of life to live once out, but his bid should be longer!
12 years for murder? Sad he will live on for many years. I sure hope the guilt haunts him for the rest of his life & he never drinks again. Karma!
should be at least 25 years
Should have been vigilante justice administered by bystanders on scene.
Why are they plea bargaining a case like this? He killed a man, driving with no license, drunk. Why give him any kind of break?
“Should be atleast 25 years” for a 19 year old killing an 86 year old but when a white lady killed a 2 year old in a hit & run she only got 60 DAYS of COMMUNITY SERVICE. NOT EVEN JAIL TIME.