Napa Man Sentenced For Manslaughter In Couple's Deaths

NAPA COUNTY, CA — Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley announced the sentencing Friday of Porfirio Sanchez, 57, of Napa, for his role in the death of cyclists Christian Deaton, 52, and his wife Michelle Deaton, 48, both of Portland, Oregon.

The morning of Oct. 17, 2023, the Deatons, on a visit to Napa Valley, were cycling in the northbound bicycle lane of Silverado Trail. Sanchez was driving northbound on Silverado Trail in Freightliner loaded with lumber. According to the DA's Office, Sanchez failed to properly secure the load, causing a large piece of lumber to swing out perpendicular to the truck and strike the Deatons, fatally injuring them.

A little over a year later, on Nov. 14, 2024, Sanchez signed a plea agreement in which he pleaded no contest to two counts of vehicular manslaughter and agreed to serve up to four years in state prison.

• RELATED: Portland Couple Killed In Napa Valley Bicycle Crash

During Friday's sentencing hearing, Napa County Deputy District Attorney Shashawnya Worley requested the court sentence Sanchez in accordance with his plea agreement to four years in state prison.

"This case boils down to two happy, healthy lives that were cut short due to the negligence of the defendant," Worley said. "Their deaths have had a profound impact on their family and friends"

Deaton's brother was present at the hearing and requested leniency for Sanchez.

Napa County Superior Court Judge Scott Young considered the request as well as the victim impact statements submitted in the case and sentenced Sanchez to 364 days in jail.

Young, however, stayed 180 of those days upon completion of 180 hours of community
service related to bike safety. Additionally, Sanchez must serve two years of formal probation with terms and conditions.

"It seems that everyone in this case, generally, is requesting justice and mercy," Young
said during Friday’s sentencing. "The Court is moved by the amount of grace in this courtroom by all families."

The Deatons were residents of Portland and long-term employees of Nike, headquartered in the Portland area.

Worley said although there was nothing she could say or do to bring the Deatons back, she hoped the sentence brought closure to those who knew and loved them.