This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A Kearns man who crashed his pickup into the back of a stopped car, killing a 3-year-old inside and injuring nine others, faces up to 15 years in prison — and possible deportation — after he pleaded guilty Monday to automobile homicide.
Manuel de Jesus Guinea, 45, was driving drunk in January when his car careened into the back of a stopped Subaru, causing a three-car pileup and killing 3-year-old Zane Thurber on impact. The boy's father, Matt Thurber, suffered internal bleeding, bruising and a concussion. The boy' older brother had been in bereavement counseling for months.
Guinea, who entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors that led to nine additional misdemeanor charges being dropped, agreed to pay restitution to all victims — including the occupants of the other three cars involved in the crash.
Guinea will be sentenced on Nov. 7 by 3rd District Judge Elizabeth Hruby-Mills.
According to witnesses at the scene, Guinea's white pickup was speeding down the street just before it crashed into the Thurbers' sedan at 1300 West and 5400 South in Taylorsville.
Unified Police Detective Matt Masock, a crash reconstruction specialist, has said Guinea was traveling at more than 60 miles per hour up the street, despite its incline. It seemed Guinea hit the brakes before he crashed into the Thurbers' car, but experts estimated his speed on impact was 53 mph.
The speed limit in the area is 45 mph.
When onlookers ran to check on the people inside the cars, they found one of Matt Thurber's sons screaming; the other was quiet and still.
Thurber, who works for The Tribune part time, seemed dazed, witnesses testified at a May preliminary hearing.
Several people who went to check on Guinea said he reeked of alcohol. He attempted to walk away from the scene, witnesses said, prompting at least two men to restrain him until law enforcement arrived.
Police officers noticed he had vomited on his shirt and found three unopened cans of beer rolling around his truck.
A blood sample taken at the scene indicated that Guinea's blood alcohol level was 0.20 — more than twice the legal limit at which it is presumed unsafe to drive.
Guinea, who is believed to be in the country illegally, may be deported as a consequence of his felony conviction.
Twitter: @Marissa_Jae