Man sentenced in DUI that injured woman

Erica D. Johnson

Friday, Dec. 13, 2002 | 9:42 a.m.

A local choreographer who was critically injured when she was hit head-on by a drunk driver will never again enjoy the quality of life she once had, Kyla Quintero's family members told a District Court judge Thursday.

"After 11 weeks, my daughter's struggle continues," Quintero's mother, Barbara Quintero said. "A successful marriage is now on hold. A thriving career will never flourish. A brilliant mind is unable to count to three. A 2-year-old daughter is deprived of her mother. And there is no prognosis for her recovery."

District Court Judge Joseph Bonaventure sentenced Jose Angel Sanchez to four to 15 years in prison with an eligibility of parole after four years.

He was also ordered to pay $293,205.95 in restitution for Quintero's medical bills.

As a result of a plea agreement, Sanchez, 21, pleaded guilty to one felony count of driving while being under the influence of alcohol, causing substantial bodily harm.

He initially faced two counts of the same charge because Quintero's 4-year-old daughter, Rebecca, was also injured in the collision, Chief Deputy District Attorney Gary Booker said.

Bonaventure said the accident was a "horrible" one that could have been avoided.

"I want to be clear. You're a criminal," Bonaventure said. "You stole the health of this young woman and stole the hearts of her family. You've ruined many lives. I hope every day you're in prison you remember the pain and suffering you've caused."

Sanchez had drifted onto the wrong side of the road when the truck he was driving collided with Quintero's minivan near Valley View Boulevard and Meadows Lane on Sept. 28, police said.

His blood alcohol level was 0.23 and he was speeding, Booker said. Motorists with a blood alcohol level of 0.10 or above are considered intoxicated.

Quintero, a dancer who choreographed several shows on the Strip, suffered massive head trauma, a shattered knee, two broken arms, two broken wrists and other injuries.

Doctors are unsure whether she'll ever fully recover, family members said.

Quintero's daughter suffered a broken leg and multiple abrasions, and Sanchez also sustained injuries in the crash.

Sanchez cried as he addressed Quintero's family.

"As God is my witness, I've felt remorse and guilt every day I've been in jail," he said. "I'm not looking to take the easy road. I'm in my own prison right now. I know you people hate me and I hate myself as well. If I could trade places with you I truly would."

Joseph Scalia, Sanchez's attorney, said his client was a responsible, hard-working man with no prior DUI arrests.

Sanchez graduated from Western High School with good grades and played high school basketball and football, he said.

"This was an accident of catastrophic proportions," Scalia said. "But for nine or 10 years, Mr. Sanchez exhibited exceptional judgment. The one time he deviated from doing the right thing, it results in a disaster."

Five of Quintero's family members addressed the court, asking Bonaventure to hand down the maximum sentence allowed.