Two-time DUI offender sentenced to 4 years in 2018 crash that killed two teens

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- More than six years after a deadly DUI crash killed 19-year-old Ana Lira and Brandon Contreras, the man accused in their death has been sentenced through a plea deal.

The crash happened in March 2018 along El Norte Parkway, when the then 27-year-old Francisco Alvarez ran a red light and crashed into the side of the vehicle the two teens were in.

Alvarez was under the influence of marijuana and cocaine at the time of the crash, it was earlier determined. However, the evidence supporting the finding couldn't be used as evidence in the case after a Court of Appeals ruling, because a warrant was not issued to draw his blood, according to Deputy District Attorney David Uyar.

The family of the two teens that were killed in the crash had held protests in Escondido, pushing for stricter punishments after the same driver, Alvarez, was arrested a second time for driving under the influence.

"My sweet girl was gone, she was gone for real," Ana's mother said through an interpreter in an emotional victim impact statement prior to the judge's sentencing.

After pandemic-era delays, and waiting on the court's ruling, the family of the teens were finally provided with a final decision on Alvaraz's sentencing.

Alvarez was sentenced to four years behind bars, however he does have credit for time served, so he will be spending just over 2.5 years in jail.