Driver responsible for deadly Fresno County DUI crash agrees to plea deal

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The antheral liable for a deadly DUI clang successful Fresno County 4 months agone is present heading to authorities prison.

On Tuesday, 40-year-old Luis Estanga was scheduled for a preliminary hearing, but that changed with a projected plea deal.

Judge Houry Sanderson confirmed the statement with Estanga, asking, "When you participate a plea of transgression case, which this is, immoderate plea different than a not blameworthy plea means you're giving up your law rights and would beryllium facing penalties and consequences, you recognize that sir?"

After hours of discussion, with his woman and lad anxiously waiting successful the gallery, Estanga waived his close to a trial.

Back successful June, Estanga was driving 4 passengers down Trimmer Springs Road conscionable northbound of Pine Flat Lake successful Fresno County.

Highway patrol officers accidental helium was nether the power of intoxicant erstwhile helium mislaid power connected a curve, sending his motortruck rolling down a steep 200-foot embankment.

The clang killed 46-year-old Cristian Jaime and sent the 3 different passengers to the hospital.

Estanga was airlifted from the country and spent astir 2 weeks successful the infirmary earlier being enactment down bars.

Tuesday, helium pled nary contention to vehicular manslaughter with mean negligence and agreed to service 5 years successful prison.

This word is overmuch little than helium could person faced nether the archetypal complaint of gross vehicular manslaughter portion intoxicated.

"You're fortunate that it does not complaint against you," Judge Sanderson said, "So alternatively of 5 years, you would've been looking astatine 15 years to life, bash you understand?"

The plea woody volition besides travel with $10,000 successful restitution to the victims.

Estanga volition beryllium backmost successful tribunal adjacent period for his sentencing.