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Man pleads no contest to manslaughter, DUI in Pioneer Dr fatal crash
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A man accused of driving drunk when his SUV collided with a car in east Bakersfield has pleaded no contest to a charge of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, according to court records.
Gabriel Coronel, 33, also pleaded no contest to DUI causing injury in connection with the fatal crash that occurred last year on Pioneer Drive east of Denison Lane, records show.
He faces seven years and eight months in prison, prosecutors said. A sentencing hearing is scheduled next month.
Early on Feb. 17, 2024, Coronel's Chevy Traverse collided with a Honda Accord.
The Honda had four occupants. Three were found unconscious by California Highway Patrol officers, according to court documents, including a woman in the front passenger seat who was later pronounced dead.
Coronel told investigators the Honda veered into his lane, but physical evidence revealed the westbound Chevy crossed the yellow line and collided with the eastbound Honda, according to the documents.
Breath tests revealed Coronel's blood-alcohol content at 0.12 and 0.13%, above the 0.08% legal limit, documents said.
The driver of the Honda was also intoxicated, documents said, and was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor DUI charges.
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