On April 14, 2010, the Honorable Judge Gerald Sevier sentenced 40-year-old Eliazar Gomez, of Fresno, to 28 years in state prison for two counts of vehicular manslaughter and three counts of felony driving under the influence of alcohol resulting in injury. The defendant pled no contest to the charges on March 22, 2010.

On June 28, 2009, Eliazar Gomez, while driving under the influence of alcohol on Mooney Boulevard in the city of Tulare, swerved over the double yellow lines and collided into the vehicle containing five victims. Two of the victims, Felipe Beltran, 26 of Strathmore, and David Loza, 27 from Porterville, died as a result of the injuries they received in the accident. The other three victims suffered bruises and laceration but survived. The defendant was also injured in the accident. Later testing revealed Defendant Eliazar Gomez had a blood alcohol level of .19%

The defendant has two prior misdemeanor convictions for driving under the influence. He was convicted in 2006 and in 2008. Both prior convictions were out of Fresno County.

Present in court during the sentencing were the family of decedents Felipe Beltran and David Loza and the surviving victims. All victims present provided the court with impact statements detailing their loss and sadness caused by the defendant and his criminal acts that night. In each statement the victims made a plea to the court for justice in this matter.

This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Onu Omordia and investigated by Officer Grizoffi of Tulare Police Department.

Contact Person: Assistant District Attorney, Shani D. Jenkins, (559) 733-6411.