The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California announced that Hector Torres, age 30, of Salinas, California, was convicted yesterday afternoon following a seven day federal jury trial of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 13, assimilating California Penal Code, Section 191.5.  

The evidence at trial showed that, on July 7, 2000, Mr. Torres drove while under the influence of alcohol at a high rate of speed after leaving the Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California.  While driving through the Ord Military Community, formerly known as Fort Ord, Mr. Torres lost control of his BMW and crossed into the opposing lane of traffic.  Defendant's BMW collided with an oncoming car resulting in the death of defendant's passenger.  The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

The government presented expert testimony establishing that Mr. Torres was driving at approximately 70 miles per hour in a 30 mile per hour zone at the time of the crash.  A blood sample taken from Mr. Torres two and a half hours after the collision registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.14 percent.

The maximum statutory penalty for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is 10 years under California state law as assimilated.  However, the actual sentence will be imposed in the discretion of the Court.  The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced by the Honorable James Ware on September 29, 2003, at 1:30 PM.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Adam H. Braun and Carter M. Stewart.  The prosecution was the result of a coordinated effort between the Presidio of Monterey Police Department and the California Highway Patrol.  Detective Peter Vasquez was the lead investigator for the Presidio of Monterey Police Department.