Tulare Co. (KMJ) Saul Saldana Armenta could have spent the next decade of his life in prison for a deadly DUI crash on Highway 99.
But, a Tulare County court on Thursday sentenced the 22 year old to four years in state prison following his felony conviction in February – the minimum sentence allowable by law.
At the sentencing hearing, prosecutors argued that only the midterm (6 years) and maximum sentences (10 years) be considered by the court.
Around 3:11 am on April 24, 2024, Saldana Armenta was driving the wrong direction in the fast lane on Highway 99 near Betty Drive in Goshen. While traveling southbound in the northbound lane in his Dodge Charger, he collided head-on with a Honda Civic.
The victim, a 21-year-old engaged-to-be-married electrician on his way to work, died at the scene.
Testing revealed Armenta’s BAC was at .21%.
