A Chula Vista drag racer whose passenger was killed in a speed contest surrendered Monday to begin his 1-year jail term.
Jose Molina Ramirez, 23, has a projected release date of Nov. 1, according to the sheriff’s department. He had been free on $100,000 bond until his surrender Monday in Chula Vista Superior Court.
His passenger, Sergio Isai Ramirez, 22, who is not related to him, was killed Oct. 8, 2016 in a 12:33 a.m. drag race on East H Street near Corral Canyon Road in Chula Vista.
Also appearing in court Monday was the other driver, Nicolas Daniel Nesbitt, 23, who is charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, engaging in a speed contest, DUI, and reckless driving.
Nesbitt has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial in July. He is no longer driving and remains free on his own recognizance. His lawyer, Gloria Collins, said Nesbitt dropped out of the brief race and slowed down.
Both Nesbitt and Jose Ramirez are from Chula Vista. Sergio Ramirez is from Inglewood, Ca.
Jose Ramirez was placed on five years probation by Judge Francis Devaney, who gave him credit for 12 days already spent in jail on April 28. He was fined $820 and he could have been sentenced to six years in prison.
Jose Ramirez pleaded guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI causing great bodily injury to another passenger, and engaging in a speed contest.
Jose Ramirez continued racing after Nesbitt slowed down and his black BMW struck two Magnolia trees in the center median. The BMW went into the opposing lane and collided with a pole on the sidewalk.
An officer testified in Nesbitt’s preliminary hearing that the causes of the crash on Ramirez’s part were the combination of alcohol and driving too fast.
