Man with prior DUI convictions sentenced for deadly 2021 drunk driving crash in Natomas
SACRAMENTO – A
repeat DUI offender
was sentenced Wednesday for a drunk driving crash that killed
two 28-year-olds in Natomas in 2021
, prosecutors said on Thursday.
Ricardo Beltram was sentenced to 36 years to life in prison after he pled guilty to two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and DUI causing injury.
Beltram, who prosecutors said admitted to two prior DUI convictions, was driving his truck more than 80 mph when he ran a red light at the intersection of Northgate Boulevard and Garden Highway.
The truck crashed into the passenger's side of a car traveling through the green light, sending the car down an embankment.
Two passengers,
identified as
Raquel Hudson
and DeJuana Byrd, died at the scene while a third victim suffered broken bones and abrasions, prosecutors said.
Beltram was removed from the vehicle and taken to the hospital, where he didn't cooperate with law enforcement. He was showing signs of being under the influence, but refused to take a chemical test and "was aggressive with officers," prosecutors said.
However, the hospital was able to take Beltram's blood, finding his blood alcohol content was .27%. Law enforcement later obtained his blood with a search warrant, which was .19% five hours after the crash.
Officers also found an almost empty bottle of Hennesy in Beltram's truck.
In his previous DUI convictions, prosecutors said he was provided a Watson advisement, which advises that DUI could lead to a murder charge if someone dies because of it. Prosecutors added that Beltram participated in a Mothers Against Drunk Driving course after his second DUI conviction and signed another Watson advisement.
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