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DUI Driver Sentenced To 6 Years For Killing Friend

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Nov 6, 2009 6:55 pm US/Pacific

DUI Driver Sentenced To 6 Years For Killing Friend

SANTA ANA, Calif. A Santa Ana man was sentenced to six years after pleading guilty to killing his friend while driving under the influence of alcohol.

Jose Maria Olmos, 37, of Santa Ana, pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated, misdemeanor driving without a license, plus a sentencing enhancement allegation for causing bodily injury to a victim while driving.

Olmos could reportedly be released from prison in three years if he earns time off for good behavior, Deputy District Attorney Jason Baez said.

Olmos and his two friends, Juan Garcia and Jose Guadalupe Vilchis, had been drinking for about 10 hours before Olmos began driving his Chevrolet Suburban shortly before 1 a.m. on July 26, 2009, Baez said.

The driver began speeding on Standard Avenue in Santa Ana, reaching 71 mph in a 30-mph zone just moments before he crashed.

Vilchis and Olmos suffered minor injuries and Garcia died.

Ramos said Olmos and Garcia had been friends for 12 years. Olmos apologized to his friend Garcia and his wife, Morales, in court Friday.

"He said if he could exchange his life for his friend's he would," Ramos said.

(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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