The man suspected of being responsible for a drunken driving crash that killed an 18-year-old Arvin High athlete and Cal State Bakersfield student has taken a plea bargain.
Francisco Nestor Santo, of Arvin, pleaded no contest a vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated charge, according to court records. He faces up to 10 years in prison.
The 22-year-old is said to be the driver in a Feb. 8 crash that killed Noemi Perez, who was set to start her freshman season on the Cal State Bakersfield track team.
Sentencing for Santo is scheduled for March 25. He is in custody at Lerdo Jail with a U.S. Border Patrol hold.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Santo crashed into two vehicles while driving drunk that night on Highway 223 east of Vineland Road. One of the cars, a 2000 Hyundai, was being driven by Perez, who was killed. The driver of the other car involved was not hurt.
At Arvin High, Perez competed in track, volleyball, basketball and softball. She graduated last spring and was named Arvin High's outstanding female athlete her senior year. Her goal was to become a high school teacher.
