CBS News reports that a 23-year-old man convicted on three counts of murder and gross vehicular manslaughter while driving under the influence of alcohol was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison this week.
According to court documents filed in the case, on October 31, at approximately 9:55 p.m., Carlo Adrian Navarro was driving his 2002 Toyota Sequoia while intoxicated when he failed to negotiate a turn and struck a young family as they were walking home from a family gathering.
Investigators say that the fatal crash happened in the area of Country Club Drive and Los Cerritos Park Place. The family’s father died that same night, while the couple’s son died the following day. On November 3, the young mother also succumbed to injuries she sustained in the crash.
Navarro apologized to the surviving family members, telling them he wished he could bring the young family back, but knew he couldn’t.
Superior Court Judge Laura Laesecke addressed Navarro, who was convicted in July of 2022.” Mr. Navarro, this was not just an average night when you were going out with your buddies. This was Halloween,” she said. The judge further explained that the decision that weighed most heavily upon her was his decision to drive at an excessive speed.
Investigators found that Navarro had been driving 60 miles per hour in a residential neighborhood at the time of the fatal crash. “That is what took this family,” Judge Laesecke said.
Prosecutors also learned that the owner of an area liquor store gave Navarro, who was only 20 at the time, a bottle of alcohol without checking his ID or payment. The woman, Amor Potestades Amacio, had done this several times previously for Navarro. She has pleaded guilty to conspiracy, and the Green Diamond Liquor Store in Long Beach has permanently lost its liquor license.
