On August 17, 2012, Tulare County Superior Court Judge Elisabeth Krant sentenced 26-year-old Francisco Javier Luna of Farmersville to seven years in state prison for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. Luna crashed his vehicle into a 42-passenger bus on October 16, 2011, in Porterville. The collision killed one of the passengers in Luna’s vehicle and injured several of the passengers on the bus, which was headed to the Eagle Mountain Casino. The defendant had a blood alcohol level of 0.19, which is more than double the legal limit. Additionally, the defendant’s blood showed evidence of previous marijuana use.

Luna pled no contest to the charge on May 30, 2012.

Luna was sentenced to seven years in state prison. Because his crime is a serious felony under the three strikes law, Luna will not be eligible to serve his prison commitment locally pursuant to the realignment of prisons. After released from state prison, the defendant will be subject to three years of parole. The court ordered Luna to pay the deceased victim’s family $1,967.98 in restitution for her funeral expenses. Additionally, the defendant must pay a $1,400 restitution fine. The court also suspended the defendant’s license for his lifetime. He will never be able to legally drive a motor vehicle again.

This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Bethany Willcutt and was investigated by Officer Painter and Officer Calloway of the Porterville Police Department.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office, Assistant District Attorney
Shani D. Jenkins (559) 636-5494.