A Woodland man was sentenced Tuesday to 12½ years in jail for a Might drunken-driving crash that killed one particular person and injured one other who had stopped to assist one other driver on Interstate 5.
Guadalupe V. Munoz, 45, pleaded responsible in Clark County Superior Courtroom to vehicular murder. A cost of vehicular assault was dismissed as part of his plea settlement.
The agreed-upon, high-end sentence included 4 years for Munoz’s two prior DUI convictions. His blood-alcohol degree following the Might crash was 0.17, in keeping with Senior Deputy Prosecutor Jessica Smith. In Washington, a blood-alcohol degree of 0.08 is taken into account proof of drunken driving.
Jessica M. Blinebry, 42, and Casey J. Blinebry, 39, each of Vader, had stopped to assist an aged man who crashed on I-5 north close to Milepost 17 about 10 p.m. Might 24. As crews from Clark-Cowlitz Fireplace Rescue offered help, Munoz’s Nissan pickup struck a fireplace truck, veered into the guardrail and struck the Blinebrys. A firefighter tackled the aged man, possible saving him from additionally being struck, Smith stated.
It took first responders a while to seek out Jessica Blinebry, however once they did, the prosecutor stated, she was pronounced useless.
Smith described the incident as traumatic for the victims and first responders on the scene.
Casey Blinebry informed Choose Suzan Clark that he has lasting well being results from the crash. He additionally described the emotional affect of the incident as “one of the worst traumas of my life.”
He additionally famous the affect his spouse’s demise had on the group and her involvement within the native Chamber of Commerce, charitable organizations and church buildings of their group northeast of Fort Rock.
Munoz’s protection legal professional, Jon McMullen, stated Munoz had beforehand failed to finish alcohol remedy. He stated Munoz is remorseful for his actions.
Munoz apologized to the victims’ household and requested for his or her forgiveness.
The decide famous Jessica Blinebry died whereas making an attempt to assist somebody, and Munoz may’ve killed Casey Blinebry or the primary responders on the scene, too. She informed Munoz he must take care of his habit “before you hurt anyone else.” She stated she’d sentence him to twice the really helpful high-end sentence, if she may.
“I’ll follow the recommendation because it’s as high as I can go under the law,” Clark stated. “Folks, I couldn’t be more sorry for your loss.”