Drunk Driver Sentenced For Killing 86-Year-Old Man On Thanksgiving

CONCORD, CA — A Concord man who struck and killed an 86-year-old man last Thanksgiving was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison.

Damian Lopez-Avelino was 19 and intoxicated when his vehicle struck another vehicle at Oak Grove and Ryan roads in Concord.

Police responded at 6:49 p.m. on Nov. 23 to a report of a two-vehicle crash at Treat Boulevard and Oak Grove Road in Concord. While at the scene, police determined a second crash happened a few blocks away.

Lopez-Avelino struck a second vehicle, in which Thomas O'Connell was a passenger. O'Connell was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

Police arrested Lopez-Avelino, who was charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI causing serious bodily injury, hit-and-run with injury, and driving a motor vehicle while unlicensed.

Lopez-Avelino reached a negotiated plea agreement with prosecutors on April 11, pleading guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving with a .08 blood alcohol content causing injury. Both charges carried enhancements.

Lopez-Avelino was sentenced to 12 years and eight months in prison, with credit for serving 139 days and another good conduct credit of 20 days.

Copyright © 2024 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.