‘How can you put a value on 2 lives?”: Man gets 12 years for deadly DUI crash

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The crash that killed her brother in August 2023 took place about two weeks before his birthday, Vanessa Neri said.

Instead of holding a celebration, her family ended up planning a funeral, Neri said Tuesday at the sentencing of the drunken driver who crashed into the car occupied by her brother, Peter Preciado, killing him and his girlfriend, Justina Marie Alston.

Peter Preciado was her children’s closest uncle, a “best friend and amazing person,” another sister, Samantha Preciado, told the court.

“And you took that away,” she added.

That last remark was directed at Luis Angel Esquivel-Muro, who last month pleaded no contest to all charges — including two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated — filed in connection with the crash.

After family members spoke, Judge Eric Bradshaw sentenced Esquivel-Muro to 12 years in prison.

On Aug. 17, 2023, Esquivel-Muro drove a pickup that collided with a car at the intersection of California and Chester avenues, police said.

Peter Preciado and Alston, the two occupants of the car, were fatally injured. Police arrested Esquivel-Muro after determining he’d been driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Stephanie Alston, a sister of Alston, read a statement written by their father that said in part, “Justina was a beautiful person, inside and out. She had so much to offer our community. You took that from her.”

Stephanie Alston told the court her sister spent two-and-a-half weeks in an induced coma — showing no improvement — before the family made the agonizing decision to take her off life support.

Twelve years in prison isn’t enough for Esquivel-Muro, Stephanie Alston said. She’s not sure what would be enough.

“How can you put a value on two lives?” she said.

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