Man Facing 11-Year Prison Term for Crash That Killed Girlfriend

COMPTON, CA -- A Los Angeles man is facing 11 years in state prison for a crash in Paramount that left his girlfriend dead, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced Friday.

Giovanni Guzman, 25, pleaded no contest Thursday to a felony count of voluntary manslaughter for the June 9, 2016, crash that killed Yadira Alvarez, 23.

The couple had recently reunited after a one-year break-up, according to Deputy District Attorney Craig Rouviere.

The two got into a fight after leaving a bar in Paramount and Guzman pulled over the vehicle, with another motorist subsequently stopping and noticing that Alvarez was in distress, according to testimony presented in court.

The good Samaritan -- who was told by Guzman to leave them alone -- came back around to the vehicle and saw the two fighting outside their vehicle, then said he was going to call police, according to the testimony.

The good Samaritan heard a screeching sound of tires and saw the car crash into a median as he called 911, according to the testimony.

Alvarez -- who was ejected from the vehicle -- was pronounced dead at the scene.

Guzman was taken to a hospital, where his blood-alcohol content was measured at nearly twice the legal limit, according to expert testimony.

Guzman was arrested that day by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies.

He entered his plea during jury deliberations in his case, and is set to be sentenced May 18, according to the District Attorney's Office.

-- City News Service, photo via Shutterstock