BAKERSFIELD - A man convicted of driving under the influence of drugs and hitting and killing an elderly couple was sentenced to 78-years-to-life in prison Tuesday morning.
Oscar Jimenez, 45, was convicted in May of two counts of second degree murder and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated in the deaths of 70-year-old Al Cichy, and 80-year-old Annabelle Cichy.
Jimenez spoke in court before sentencing. "I'm very sorry for this accident. I pray that you forgive me."
Jimenez tearfully apologized to the family of the Cichys. Police said Jimenez crossed over a center divider and onto the sidewalk, killing the elderly couple as they walked hand in hand, picking up trash as they often did.
"They were good people. Gave a good example of how a marriage should be and how neighbors should treat each other. And, those are the people that we lost. And, what's tragic is not just that we lost them, but the way that we lost them," said Robert Murray, Deputy District Attorney. "This was a completely unnecessary crime. Mr. Jimenez had been abusing drugs for decades. He's been driving under the influence for decades. He made the choice to use drugs again. He made the choice to not only use drugs, but to get behind the wheel after doing so."
"We have different laws that address driving offenses that result in the death of a person. This is the one that is the most severe. Obviously we intend to have these matters reviewed in the court of appeals," said Bill Slocumb, Defense Attorney.
This was Jimenez's eight DUI offense and third strike.
Oscar Jimenez, 45, was convicted in May of two counts of second degree murder and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated in the deaths of 70-year-old Al Cichy, and 80-year-old Annabelle Cichy.
Jimenez spoke in court before sentencing. "I'm very sorry for this accident. I pray that you forgive me."
Jimenez tearfully apologized to the family of the Cichys. Police said Jimenez crossed over a center divider and onto the sidewalk, killing the elderly couple as they walked hand in hand, picking up trash as they often did.
"They were good people. Gave a good example of how a marriage should be and how neighbors should treat each other. And, those are the people that we lost. And, what's tragic is not just that we lost them, but the way that we lost them," said Robert Murray, Deputy District Attorney. "This was a completely unnecessary crime. Mr. Jimenez had been abusing drugs for decades. He's been driving under the influence for decades. He made the choice to use drugs again. He made the choice to not only use drugs, but to get behind the wheel after doing so."
"We have different laws that address driving offenses that result in the death of a person. This is the one that is the most severe. Obviously we intend to have these matters reviewed in the court of appeals," said Bill Slocumb, Defense Attorney.
This was Jimenez's eight DUI offense and third strike.