Man gets probation, community service for deadly crash in Shafter

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A man who pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of vehicular manslaughter in connection with a deadly crash last year in Shafter has been sentenced to probation and community service.

Edwin Sanchez pleaded no contest Tuesday and was sentenced to a year of probation and 250 hours of community service, according to the District Attorney’s Office. He was also ordered to pay restitution in an amount yet to be determined.

Before the plea deal was reached, Sanchez faced felony vehicular manslaughter charges.

On the afternoon of Aug. 14, Sanchez drove a Ford Excursion west on West Lerdo Highway approaching Driver Road, according to a court filing. The Ford collided with an Infiniti Q50 in the intersection. Both vehicles caught fire.

The Infiniti’s driver, Luis Andree Gallegos Prieto, 21, was pinned in and died at the scene, the filing says.

Police found a gray backpack near the crash scene containing Sanchez’s cellphone, an empty 50-milliliter bottle of whiskey, two full whiskey bottles, an empty Modelo beer can and two medication bottles, according to the filing.

Sanchez denied drinking. A breath test revealed alcohol in his system, according to the filing, but in an amount lower than the 0.08% legal limit.

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