Soledad Man Sentenced for DUI Murder and Vehicular Manslaughter

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on Thursday, April 11 that 32-year-old David Merino Ramirez of Soledad was sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison after a jury in February convicted him of Murder and Vehicular Manslaughter. Judge Rafael Vasquez

imposed the sentence.

On August 21, 2020, around 9:00 p.m., Ramirez was driving northbound at speeds exceeding

80mph on Metz Road between the cities of 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 2 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.

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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Suspect Vehicle in King City Quadruple Homicide on March 3 Has Been Located

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, on behalf of the King City Police Department is informing the community that the suspect vehicle involved in a quadruple homicide that occurred Sunday, March 3 on the 200 block of North Second Street in King City, has been located and recovered. The vehicle was located in an unincorporated area of South Monterey County. The King City Police Department is receiving assistance from multiple local and federal law enforcement partners in this investigation. Based on the nature of this investigation, no further details regarding the recovery of this vehicle are being released at this time. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office and the King City PD are asking the community for their assistance in reporting any information they may know regarding this incident which tragically left 4 people dead and 7 people injured, two with critical injuries. Information can be provided by contacting the following: King City Detective Sergeant Josh Partida 831-3

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1 vehicle overturned off of County Road 18 and Frudden Road outside of King City at 2:34 pm on Friday afternoon, October 20. 1 occupant received injuries as a result of the crash and ended up being transported to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas to be treated. The cause of the wreck is unknown.

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