Convicted DUI Motorist Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison

The Times of San Diego reports that a man who drove while under the influence of alcohol that killed two of his passengers in 2020 was convicted last week of vehicular manslaughter. The court has sentenced him to serve 8 years in prison.

According to court documents, at approximately 3:15 a.m. on November 22, 2022, John Pedro Meno, 28, was heading southbound on Torrey Pines Road Avenue at a high rate of speed when he attempted to make a sharp turn at the intersection at Girard Avenue. Meno lost control of his Nissan Altima, causing the sedan to jump the curb and slam into two palm trees before coming to a rest in the roadway.

Police and paramedics responding to the scene pronounced a 19-year-old man and a 22-year-old man riding in Meno’s vehicle as passengers dead at the scene.

Meno was taken to an area hospital and treated for minor injuries. He was booked into jail immediately after his hospital release and held on a $100,000 bond.

A blood alcohol test two hours after the fatal crash showed that Meno had a blood alcohol level right at the legal limit of .08 percent. 

San Diego Co County Deputy District Attorney Cally Bright told the court that Meno was driving at approximately 85 miles per hour while intoxicated and on a suspended license when the crash occurred. Meno’s license had been suspended because of failing to stop at traffic signals and other speeding incidents.

During the police investigation of the crash, Meno told officers that he had to swerve to avoid hitting another car. He then later admitted that his initial story had been a lie.

Although prosecutors pushed for a conviction of gross vehicular manslaughter, jurors instead convicted Meno of the lesser charge of vehicular manslaughter after two days of deliberations. 

San Diego Superior Court Judge Evin Kirvin sentenced Meno to eight years in California State Prison.

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