On March 5, 2008, Tulare County Superior Court Judge James W. Hollman imposed a prison sentence of 9 years and 8 months on 29 year old Miguel Angel Contreras of Fresno for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol while having a blood alcohol level of .15 percent or more and causing great bodily injury.

On January 21, 2007, the defendant was driving southbound on Enterprise St. approaching Paige Ave, in Tulare, at approximately 55 mph. The victim’s sister drove the victim, the victim’s son and her daughter eastbound on Paige Ave. approaching Enterprise St. at approximately 40 mph. The defendant due to a blood alcohol level of .16 percent failed to stop at the posted stop sign at Paige Ave. Defendant entered the intersection directly in front of the path of the victim, and the two vehicles collided. The victim’s vehicle rolled side over side into the dry canal south of Paige Ave. before it came to rest. The victim received fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene. The victim’s son sustained a broken left femur. The victim’s sister, the driver, had pain to her left leg and hip.

The Judge sentenced the defendant to serve 9 years and 8 months. This was the defendant’s second conviction for driving under the influence. Both charges will count as “strikes” under California law. He was also ordered to pay restitution fines, and fees, and restitution was left open as to the victims. The defendant was ordered not to operate a motor vehicle unless duly licensed and insured. An abstract of the proceedings was sent to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Peter Zerbib, and investigated by Officer Dominick Garay of the California Highway Patrol.

Contact Person: Assistant District Attorney, Don Gallian, (559) 733-6411.