Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M . Pacioni announced today that David Merino Ramirez , age 32 , was convicted by a jury of Murder , Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated , and Driving on a Suspended License .
   On August 21 , 2020 , around 9:00 p . m . , Ramirez was driving northbound at speeds exceeding 80mph on Metz Road between Greenfield and Soledad . Due to his excessive speed and level of intoxication Ramirez lost control , striking a dirt embankment , and flipping his car upside down . His passenger , Noe Santillan , 26 , was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash by first responders .
   California Highway Patrol Officers arrived on the scene shortly after the crash . After conducting a series of field sobriety tests police determined that Ramirez was under the influence of alcohol .  A subsequent breath test showed that he had a blood alcohol level of . 17 , over twice the legal limit .
   Jurors also heard that Ramirez had suffered two prior convictions for driving under the influence , in 2015 and 2019 . They also heard that when he was sentenced on those cases , he was warned that operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol is inherently dangerous to human life , and that should he continue to do so and a person were killed , he could be charged with murder .
   Based on the conviction , Ramirez faces up to 15 years to life in prison . Sentencing is set for March 14 , 2024 .
   This case was investigated by the California Highway Patrol and prosecuted by the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office specialized DUI Vertical Prosecution Unit . Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration .
    
   

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