On Wednesday, June 23, 2021, a man pleaded no contest to the charges of gross vehicular manslaughter and of driving under the influence of alcohol that killed a woman in 2018. He has been sentenced to six years in state prison.
The Daily Bulletin reports that before the court on Wednesday, June 23, 2021t 33-year-old Carmelino Martinez Odornez entered his plea regarding the fatal DUI crash on September 18, 2018.
According to official reports regarding the incident, Martinez Odornez was heading southbound on Hamilton Boulevard at a high rate of speed when he lost control of his PT Cruiser and crashed into a home in Pamona. The homeowner was in the house at the time of the crash.
A woman who lived inside the home became trapped by the car. She was trapped beneath the vehicle for approximately 20 minutes before rescue crews could extricate her from the wreckage.
The woman died at the scene of the accident because of injuries she suffered in the crash.
Pomona Police Officers noted that Martinez Odornez was exhibiting signs of intoxication. Officers believe it was intoxication that directly contributed to the fatal crash. He was placed under arrest at the scene and has been in jail since 2018.
Officials have not indicated whether time already served may have been a factor in Martinez Odornez’s sentencing.
