Crime & Safety

Driver Convicted of Drunk Driving in Major Injury Accident on Hwy 101

Cortez faces a potential sentence of up to 10 years, eight months in state prison.

A man who allegedly injured two people in a drunk driving accident on U.S. Highway 101 in August and then fled the scene was convicted Thursday of felony drunk driving charges, San Mateo County prosecutors said Friday.

Carlos Moreno Cortez, 27, was convicted following a three-day court trial before Judge Stephen Hall of felony drunk driving causing injury, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.

Cortez was allegedly speeding on northbound U.S. Highway 101 on Aug. 8 just south of Interstate Highway 380 when he clipped another car while changing lanes, causing the other car to overturn. Cortez then fled the scene, according to prosecutors, and when he was stopped, claimed that his wife had been driving, even though he was sitting in the driver's seat with the car keys in his pocket.

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Two people in the other vehicle suffered major injuries, according to Wagstaffe. Cortez ultimately provided a blood sample that showed he had a blood alcohol level of .19.

Cortez, who is being held without bail, faces a potential sentence of up to 10 years, eight months in state prison.

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--Bay City News


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