Man sentenced to two years following Fresno County crash that killed friend

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Six months aft a deadly Fresno County crash, the operator is present heading to situation for 2 years successful transportation with the decease of Ciriaco Santiago Gomez.

Witnesses accidental Gerardo Perez's Honda Accord went flying into an orchard astatine 97 MPH.

"Santiago was a arrogant subordinate of the church, an immigrant, a tract worker," a Fresno County authoritative said successful court.

Action News antecedently reported that Santiago Gomez and Perez were friends, but witnesses accidental determination was an argument.

"He observed question successful the car done the backmost window, which appeared to amusement the occupants fighting," the defence lawyer explained.

He past blamed the victim.

"I don't judge the mishap would person happened if not for the unfortunate hysterically grabbing the steering wheel," the defence lawyer said.

"Ultimately, we volition ne'er cognize what precisely caused the collision," the authoritative responded.

Investigators accidental determination was intoxicant successful the car, but prosecutors could not complaint a DUI.

"Because the suspect had fled the scene, the officers were incapable to bash a DUI check," the region authoritative said.

Perez turned himself successful to the Orange Cove Police Department and aboriginal pleaded nary contention to leaving the scene.

When his lawyer asked for probation connected Wednesday, the justice denied it, stating that Perez had made a choice.

"He showed nary respect for the victim, nor did helium petition rescue services to measure the victim's injuries," Fresno County Superior Court Judge Robert Mangano said.

The victim's cousin, Rosa, told Action News the two-year condemnation was lighter than she expected, but said God volition person the last judgment.

She antecedently described Santiago Gomez arsenic loving and idiosyncratic who ever smiled.

"It's a really, truly bittersweet tragedy, and my household and I are trying to header with the concern arsenic champion arsenic we can," she said successful the days aft the crash.

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