Sonoma County Man Pleads Guilty to DUI Crash That Killed His Companion From St. Helena

A Santa Rosa man will be sentenced in April to more than 19 years in prison for the death of his passenger during a vehicle crash a year ago.

Rafael Prieto-Gonzalez, 23, pleaded guilty Friday in Sonoma County Superior Court to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, robbery, auto theft and leaving the scene of the accident on Feb. 28 that killed Abel Acosta, 44, of St. Helena.

Prieto-Gonzalez took a Ford Explorer and wallet belonging to Julio Vega-Pena after he left a pool hall on Santa Rosa, Ravitch said.

The two men drove to another pool hall in Cotati, then drove to Rohnert Park, where Prieto-Gonzalez lost control of the Ford and crashed into a tree, killing Acosta, Ravitch said.

Rohnert Park police said Prieto-Gonzalez screamed for help and when witnesses tried to assist him, he fled and hid in the nearby neighborhood.

Prieto-Gonzalez had a blood-alcohol level of 0.17 percent when he was found several blocks away from the crash, Ravitch said. Prieto-Gonzalez must serve 85 percent of his 19 years and four months sentence before he is eligible for parole, Ravitch said.

Once he is released, any future DUI offenses will be charged as felonies, Ravitch said.

--Bay City News

--Image via Shutterstock

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