Forgiveness expressed at sentencing in street racing crash that killed 2
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Priscilla Carbajal never thought her sister would die at 23.
But poor decisions were made just after midnight on Nov. 19, 2021. In a matter of seconds, both her sister, Carmen Vidal, and the driver of the Honda Civic she was traveling in were dead after racing an Infiniti G37 in northwest Bakersfield.
The Honda clipped another vehicle then crashed into a traffic pole. Jose Beltran-Lopez and Vidal suffered fatal injuries, and a second passenger was badly injured.
Carbajal grieves not only for Vidal and Beltran-Lopez, but for the driver of the Infiniti, who was sentenced Wednesday to 12 years in prison.
Addressing Valencia before sentencing, Carbajal said she forgives him.
“I know he has a heart and I know he has people that love him and care for him,” Carbajal said.
Valencia, 32, pleaded no contest last month to two counts of vehicular manslaughter. Murder charges were dismissed.
Valencia initiated the race, police said.
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Police called to the crash scene at Stockdale Highway and Renfro Road found the Honda had sustained major front-end damage, its engine pushed into the body of the vehicle.
Valencia left the scene but came forward weeks later after being told his vehicle was pictured in a Dec. 13 Bakersfield Police Department release. He told police he’d been speeding but denied racing.
Police, however, said witness statements and evidence at the scene indicated both vehicles were barreling along Stockdale Highway at speeds of 100 mph or more.
Multiple videos of Valencia engaging in illegal speed races were found on his cellphone, according to court documents. It appeared numerous phones calls and text messages had been deleted.
At Wednesday’s hearing, Valencia stood and faced the front of the courtroom while Carbajal spoke. It’s her hope, she said, his behavior changes and next time he thinks before acting.
“I just pray and hope this is a lesson learned for everyone,” she said.
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