Alejandro Rocha Fernandez Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison

Press release from the County of Santa Cruz:

June 10, 2020

Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeffrey S. Rosell announced today that Alejandro Rocha Fernandez was sentenced to 20 years in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated causing the death of fifty five-year old Diana Crotty.

On June 5, 2019, Fernandez, who had been drinking at a downtown Santa Cruz bar and had a blood alcohol level approaching three times the legal limit, recklessly sped into an alleyway, striking and killing the victim. Following the crash Fernandez fled the scene on foot. He was subsequently located and apprehended by Officers from the Santa Cruz Police Department.

At the time of the offense, Fernandez was on two grants of probation for separate driving while impaired (DUI) offenses occurring in 2016 and 2018.

At the sentencing hearing Crotty was remembered by her sister as a “loving, generous” person who had a great sense of humor and was an artist. Fernandez did not make a statement.

Fernandez will be required to serve at least 85% of his sentence prior to becoming eligible for parole.

The prosecutor assigned to the case, Assistant District Attorney Alex Byers, commented, “Fernandez’ decision to drive while impaired exhibited a conscious disregard for human life and the court held him appropriately responsible for that choice and its tragic consequences.” Rosell added, “We (our office) feel that this sentence is appropriate and just, and the victim’s family can rest assured in knowing that justice has been served and the defendant will pay the consequences for his actions.”

This press release was produced by the County of Santa Cruz. The views expressed here are the author's own.