Drunken driver gets eight years in prison after deadly crash with Omnitrans bus
SAN BERNARDINO -- A drunken driver who collided with an Omnitrans bus in December, killing his passenger, will face almost eight years in state prison under the terms of a plea bargain.
John Barrios Gonzales Jr. pleaded guilty to two counts of felony driving under the influence of alcohol, with additional allegations on one of the counts, Monday in San Bernardino Superior Court, confirmed Deputy District Attorney Jay Robinson.
The allegations on the first count are causing bodily injury and an out on bail allegation, Robinson said.
Gonzales, 24, is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 26 to seven years and eight months in state prison.
The defendant's girlfriend and passenger, Kimeko Dale Svitak, 21, died after the 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt she was riding in crashed into the stopped bus on Highland Avenue, just west of Golden Avenue.
Witnesses said the Cobalt was weaving in and out of traffic and traveling fast before the collision, according to San Bernardino Police.
No skid marks were left at the scene, police said.
Robinson said the District Attorney's Office had consulted with Gonzales' lawyer, Carlos Juarez, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the victim's family while working on the plea bargain.
-Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
John Barrios Gonzales Jr. pleaded guilty to two counts of felony driving under the influence of alcohol, with additional allegations on one of the counts, Monday in San Bernardino Superior Court, confirmed Deputy District Attorney Jay Robinson.
The allegations on the first count are causing bodily injury and an out on bail allegation, Robinson said.
Gonzales, 24, is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 26 to seven years and eight months in state prison.
The defendant's girlfriend and passenger, Kimeko Dale Svitak, 21, died after the 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt she was riding in crashed into the stopped bus on Highland Avenue, just west of Golden Avenue.
Witnesses said the Cobalt was weaving in and out of traffic and traveling fast before the collision, according to San Bernardino Police.
No skid marks were left at the scene, police said.
Robinson said the District Attorney's Office had consulted with Gonzales' lawyer, Carlos Juarez, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the victim's family while working on the plea bargain.
-Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!! HE KILLED SOMEONE!!!!! WHAT THE HECK IS GONING ON OUT THERE??
another early xmas gift for this idiot.he sure is a lucky guy michael vick got more time for animal abuse,please somebody get a rope.and put it where it will do the most good.......