Illegal Mexican Alien gets 15 years for drunken driving crash that killed passenger, critically injured off-duty officer - After serving his sentence he will be given the keys to the Sanctuary City of Chicago by Rahm Emanuel

A drunken unlicensed illegal alien driver was sentenced to 15 years in prison this week for causing a wrong-way crash that killed his passenger and seriously injured another man.

Juan Ramon Hernandez, 26, pleaded guilty Tuesday and was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison for intoxication assault and 15 years for intoxication manslaughter. The sentences will run concurrently.
Early on March 18, the Irving man was driving his Chevrolet Tahoe east in the westbound lanes of Interstate 20 about 6:45 a.m. when he crashed head-on into a Chevrolet Monte Carlo near Bonnie View Road.
The fiery crash killed Hernandez’s passenger, Neri Garcia, and critically injured the other driver, Milton Smith, an off-duty officer for the Dallas County Community College District.

Hutchins police say Hernandez, who was not seriously injured, tried to walk away from the scene and had to be restrained by police. His blood alcohol level was 0.224, nearly three times the legal limit.

Smith, 63, suffered brain trauma, broke both legs and ribs and requires a walker to move around. He testified during the sentencing phase of the trial, saying he doesn’t remember working the night before, let alone any details of the crash.

When asked about the outcome of the trial, Smith said, “I think it turned out as good as could be expected.”
Garcia’s family lives abroad, and no one spoke on his behalf. Hernandez, who is in the country illegally, used a translator during the trial. He opted not to testify on his own behalf.

The concurrent sentence means that Hernandez could be up for parole in 7 1/2 years. Smith’s wife, Sue, promised to be at the parole hearing. “I think that Juan Ramon Hernandez will do this again,” she said, “and hopefully for at least the next 7 1/2 years, no one has to worry about him doing this to them.”

Now that the trial is over, Milton Smith said he and his wife are ready to move on. “I’m going to be as active as I can, continue to do what I learned in rehab and do whatever I can to get as well as I can,” he said. “Hopefully this story will touch somebody, and this won’t have to happen again.”