One drag racer whose passenger died in a crash on East H Street in Chula Vista has pleaded guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
Sergio Isai Ramirez, 22, was killed Oct. 8, 2016, when the driver, Jose Molina Ramirez, 23, raced another driver at a reported speed of 100 mph on East H Street and Corral Canyon Road. Jose Ramirez is not related to Sergio Ramirez.
Deputy District Attorney Laura Evans said Jose Ramirez could be sentenced up to six years in state prison when he is sentenced on April 28 by Chula Vista Superior Court Judge Francis Devaney.
Jose Ramirez also pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol, causing great bodily injury to another passenger, Luke Lightbody, and engaging in a speed contest. He remains free on $100,000 bond.
The other driver, Nicholas Daniel Nesbitt, 22, has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting a March 8 preliminary hearing. Nesbitt is also charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, engaging in a speed contest, driving under the influence of alcohol, and reckless driving.
The victim was in the back seat of Jose Ramirez’s vehicle when he failed to negotiate a slight curve in the roadway and spun out of control at 12:33 a.m. His vehicle traveled over the center median, striking two Magnolia trees, which were broken in half.
Nesbitt remains free on his own recognizance.
