FREMONT — A man with prior driving under the influence convictions was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and DUI and has been sentenced to 13 years in prison in a 2019 traffic collision that left a Newark woman dead and her husband injured, authorities said Friday.
Juan Martinez, 50, of Newark, who has been in custody since the March 17, 2019 collision, was sentenced May 11.
Authorities said Martinez, who had two prior DUI convictions at the time of the crash, was driving while intoxicated about 6:17 p.m. when he veered into oncoming traffic on Central Avenue just east of Blacow Road, colliding with a Honda Civic. The Civic was occupied by the driver, William Domingo, and his 70-year-old wife, Erlinda Domingo, who were driving home from a church service.
Erlinda Domingo died at the scene; her husband was seriously injured.
Martinez fled the scene and tried to hide in a nearby neighborhood but was apprehended about 20 minutes later by responding officers.
Martinez was initially charged with murder under the “Watson Murder” rule, in addition to several other felony charges. The “Watson Murder” rule refers to a situation in which a person with a prior conviction of driving under the influence causes a vehicle accident that results in a death while they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Under these conditions, the suspect can be charged with murder.
As part of a plea agreement, Martinez pleaded no contest and was convicted of voluntary manslaughter, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury with priors, and leaving the scene of an accident that causes death and or injury.
Fremont police said in a statement Friday that the department “dedicated significant resources and time into the investigation in order to provide the Domingo family with a measure of justice and closure. The investigation was led by Traffic Officer Jacob Shannon and supported by the entire Traffic Unit.
“Fremont Police Department is committed to providing education and enforcement to drivers throughout the city,” the statement said. “We understand that each fatal collision is unique and represents lives lost. We will continue to work tirelessly to prevent these tragedies from happening in the future. We empathize with friends and families of the victims and are hoping that this sentencing would bring some closure to them and to the community. “