SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on Friday, February 16 that 32-year-old David Merino Ramirez of Soledad 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 26-year-old Noe Santillan
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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