Man sentenced in deadly DUI crash, victim's family flies in from Guatemala

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Nearly 9 months aft a deadly DUI clang successful Fresno County, the operator has accepted a plea deal.

Thousands of miles from her location successful Guatemala, a devastated parent confronts the antheral liable for her son's death.

Speaking done an interpreter, Fabiana Lopez shared what she missed astir her youngest, Eli Lopez.

"He would archer maine mommy you're beautiful," said Fabiana. "Every greeting helium would nonstop maine a connection and present I don't perceive that connection anymore."

The past clip Fabiana was successful the United States was successful October 2024, she was visiting Eli, who had moved to Kingsburg successful hopes of starting a amended life.

As the evening wrapped up, Eli said his goodbyes to thrust his woman backmost to Orange Cove.

"He gave maine 2 kisses connected the forehead and helium told maine 'I emotion you precise overmuch Mom'," said Fabiana. "I ne'er imagined that those would beryllium the past words that my babe would archer me."

While astatine a halt motion connected Manning and Hill Avenue, the past 24-year-old Jesus Zeferino slammed into their car, which burst into flames.

Eli was killed, his woman was severely injured, leaving scars she carries to this day.

"I aftermath up successful sweats due to the fact that I person nightmares of my tegument blistering and maine not making it retired alive."

Zeferino had a humor intoxicant contented doubly the ineligible limit; helium took a plea woody for vehicular manslaughter, accepting a 13-year sentence.

In astir a susurration to his translator, helium offered an apology to Eli's family.

"I cognize that I americium facing galore years successful jailhouse and I cognize not adjacent that volition instrumentality their kid back," said Zeferino.

After court, Eli's older member Orlando stood extracurricular the courthouse, disappointed by the sentence.

Eli had worked alongside Orlando astatine his Taco Truck and was starting his ain company.

Just earlier his death, helium made concern cards and t-shirts to beforehand his caller business.

Now, Orlando mourns each the dreams that volition ne'er be.

"Now that he's not here, I americium precise sad. There are times I outcry astatine location origin I miss him," said Orlando. "He was 27, precise young. He had a batch of aboriginal up of him."

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