Man Gets Jail Sentence In Fatal March Crash
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The man who pleaded guilty in the crash that killed a Fulbright Scholar from Richfield in March has been sentenced to one year in jail.
In July, Neftali Paolo Ramirez pleaded guilty to drinking before the fatal March 8 crash in Burnsville. Erin Randall, 34, was killed when Ramirez's car slammed into the driver's side of her car while she was stopped at a red light. Ramirez's blood-alcohol content was .25, which is about three times the legal limit.
Ramirez will have to spend 120 days in jail immediately, and then the remaining time will be served annually through 2020 marking the date of the crash.
The tragic impacts were felt again Wednesday inside the Dakota County Courtroom, where family and friends of Randall read tearful victim impact statements capturing their heartbreaking loss.
In all, seven people read emotional words to the defendant. When it was time for Ramirez to address family and friends, he broke down in tears.
"We are pleased to have brought this man to justice for this senseless crime on our roads," Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said, offering his sympathies to Randall's family and friends.
Ramirez was also ordered to pay restitution and complete 150 hours of community service.