Defendants in two separate cases were gifted with prison sentences just days before Christmas for causing two fatal crashes in Phoenix.
According to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, Jesus Soto was traveling at a high rate of speed near the intersection of Union Hills Drive and 15th Avenue when he collided with another vehicle early this year. The driver of the vehicle suffered a traumatic brain injury and later died. According to police data, at the time of the crash, Soto was driving 85 miles per hour with his two nephews in the car. Instead of helping his nephews or the victim, Soto fled the scene. Soto pled guilty to one count of Manslaughter, a Class Two Dangerous Felony, and one count of Leaving Scene of a Fatal Injury Accident, a Class Two Felony. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
In another case, Eladio Hernandez was making a left turn onto 27th Avenue in Phoenix when he failed to yield to two motorcycles, causing one to crash into the side of his truck, fatally injuring the rider. According to law enforcement, Hernandez’s blood alcohol concentration was nearly twice the legal limit. He pled guilty to one count of Manslaughter, a Class Two Dangerous Felony, and one count of Endangerment, a Class Six Felony. He was sentenced to seven years in prison.
County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said cases like these prove the value of remaining constantly vigilant on the roads, especially now when holiday traffic is intense.
“Both of these crashes were preventable, yet the defendants’ actions caused irreparable damage to the victims and their families,” said Mitchell. “The holidays are a stressful time for many, and that stress often shows up on our roadways as speeding, aggressive driving, driving under the influence, and other dangerous behaviors. One of the best things we can do for each other this holiday season is to drive responsibly.”