An Iraq war veteran who took off after fatally striking a woman in the middle of the night on Interstate 5 near downtown San Diego was sentenced Wednesday to three years probation and fined $1,000 after a judge reduced his felony conviction to a misdemeanor.
Sandro Garcia, 33, pleaded guilty in November to a felony charge of hit-and-run causing death.
Defense attorney Justin Murphy told Judge Timothy Walsh that Garcia was an outstanding citizen who failed to stop after hitting 51-year-old Sara Basile — also known as Patricia McNally — just after midnight last June 19.
“He wasn’t sure what he hit,” Murphy said, adding that Garcia drove to his aunt’s home nearby after the accident.
Once there, Garcia got a flashlight and saw blood on a headlight and called police, Murphy said.
Garcia said he was in shock when the accident happened, but told Walsh he took full responsibility for failing to stop.
Walsh said Garcia wasn’t speeding or drinking when the victim walked out in front of his vehicle.
Walsh also ordered Garcia to perform 10 days of public work service.
— City News Service