Sentencing Postponed In Fatal Sonoma County DUI, Marijuana Crash

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Isidro Antonio Moya pleaded no contest last month to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and DUI involving marijuana. The collision 13 months ago in west Sonoma County killed his best friend David Bradley Etling, 18, of Petaluma, a passenger in Moya's 2007 Infiniti.

At Moya's scheduled sentencing Monday, Etling's parents Stephen Etling and Ben Bloodworth asked Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Peter Ottenweller if they could hug Moya seated at the defense table. The judge complied with their request.

The unusual sentencing hearing in a packed courtroom, however, was postponed until July 15 to give Ottenweller time to review the California Highway Patrol's traffic collision report and accident reconstruction report.

The judge heard statements Monday from Doug and Cessna Kaye, who were seriously injured when Moya's Infiniti struck their 2012 Lexus on Valley Ford Road on May 4, 2018.

Neither one asked the judge to sentence Moya, 20, of Santa Rosa, to a lengthy prison term. They spoke about the injuries they suffered and their medical expenses and asked the judge to require Moya to serve some time in jail but more importantly perform community service.

"I can't complain. I'm alive, I did not lose my son," Cessna Kaye said. "Since the collision I felt no anger or hatred, just shock and deep sadness for the young people who had so much to look forward to and their parents."

Etling and Bloodworth also provided a statement to the court.

"Our son was loved and cherished. David was a unique individual, and Isidro has a loving family," Etling said. "What happened was a very unfortunate circumstance involving young men, including our son."

He and Bloodworth asked Ottenweller to sentence Moya with compassion next month.

The judge thanked all four who spoke Monday.

"I am very grateful for your willingness to forgive and leave the punishment in my hands," Ottenweller said.

Moya's attorney Kevin McConnell plans to argue for probation, and Deputy District Attorney Scott Uemura said the felony charges warrant incarceration. Moya faces a maximum of 13 years and eight months in prison.

The attorneys agreed to postpone sentencing until Ottenweller reviews the CHP reports. Ottenweller also said he is aware of a similar vehicular manslaughter case that requires an intent to cause great bodily harm in order to preclude a probation sentence.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Driver Pleads No Contest In Crash That Killed His Best Friend
• Charges Filed In Fatal Marijuana-Related West Sonoma Co. Crash

— Bay City News Service