A crowd of 65 people watched a judge sentence a drunk driver who killed David Voigt on his bicycle in Chula Vista to 14 years and eight months in state prison on July 25.
Michael Dominic Reyes, 29, received the maximum sentence by Chula Vista Superior Court Judge Garry Haehnle, who ordered Reyes to pay $7,200 in restitution that included funeral costs. He was fined $11,324 and given 209 days of jail credits.
Voigt, 46, of Chula Vista, was bicycling home from his work at the Sweetwater Water Authority on March 3 around 4:15 p.m. when Reyes struck him while driving a stolen car on J Street. Reyes drove a stolen Nissan Maxima that he took in National City, said Deputy District Attorney Carlos Varela.
“I searched and I searched for some redeeming qualities for Mr. Reyes,” said the judge. “All I could find was he accepted responsibility (by pleading guilty).”
Reyes pleaded guilty May 19 to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, possession of methamphetamine, auto theft, receiving stolen property and driving while his license was revoked.
“The maximum sentence of 14 years — it’s not near enough. David is gone forever,” said the victim’s father, who is also named David Voigt.
Elvia Voigt said her husband “always had a smile on his face.” The couple had two sons, 22 and 19 years old, who attended with other family members. She accompanied her husband in the ambulance ride to the hospital, and she said the carnage was like “in a horror movie” as he was covered with blood.
He died from multiple blunt force injuries.
