Families say DWI plea deal too lenient

Photo: Cesar Ramirez-Olivas, left, apologizes to the family of the couple he killed while driving under the influence of alcohol.

[John R]

The only sensible DWI policy that I am aware of is one in New York State. If you kill someone after making the choice to drive while drunk the charge is MURDER as it should be. Until then we are pissing in the wind.

[LMAO]

"New Mexico is top in the nation for tough anti-DWI laws". HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! That quote comes from the article on Richardson's new DWI penalties for the upcoming session. What a freakin' joke! He makes NM look like to top ranking fool state. Of course that article is not open to comments.

[saintchkn]

I moved from Colorado to Santa Fe, then back to Colorado 2 1/2 years later. The horrible DWI problems were part of the reason for my return. I am a cyclist as well as a motorist, and when the lenient do-little dwi policies of New Mexico became clear to me, I decided the odds were not what I wanted to live with. I agree with John R - New York State gives the problem the only proper response.

[Seymoure Butts]

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Don't deport him! He won't get to enjoy free healthcare or get social security that Tio Obama's getting him......YOU DRANK THE KOOL AIDE!!!!!!

[santa fe]

John R wrote:

The only sensible DWI policy that I am aware of is one in New York State. If you kill someone after making the choice to drive while drunk the charge is MURDER as it should be. Until then we are **** in the wind.

Interesting comment. DWI laws are too lenient here in NM. Drinking is a harmful substance to put in one’s body, thus leading to wrong decision making and death. I wish to see the day New Mexico makes a Stand against this type of behavior. Otherwise we will see stories like this, and watch fellow New Mexican people die and waste their lives away. Come New Mexico lets take a stand! Lets Wake UP and dont allow this to happen anymore, one death is one to much.

[John Martinez]

John R wrote:

The only sensible DWI policy that I am aware of is one in New York State. If you kill someone after making the choice to drive while drunk the charge is MURDER as it should be. Until then we are **** in the wind.

Funny you mention the murder charge in NY. Gov. Richardson proposed the same concept today for his DWI agenda for next year. I am a registered republican, and I have not been to supportive of our corrupt Governor's agenda's, but this is easily something I can support. We all need to put our support behind this becoming law, with the caveat that it is done right, and not done half @$$ like everything else the dems do.

[redwhiteandBLUE]

He was charged back in 1998 and didn't get deported!
Now look!! An American got killed !! If he would of been depoted them..maybe a life would of been saved.!!! And his wife said he was"RESPONSIBLE" ?
Hogwash! Enforce the laws and deport!!!

[Khal Spencer]

"I don't think you're a bad man," Vigil said. "You made a horrible mistake."

Horrible mistake? What a crock. It was a crime and two people were killed senselessly. These lenient, misguided judges are part of our DWI problem, not part of the solution. Wake up, Judge Vigil. Before its one of your loved ones getting the booze-addled bumper ride on a drunk's car.

[Khal Spencer]

santa fe wrote:

<quoted text>
...Drinking is a harmful substance to put in one’s body, thus leading to wrong decision making and death....

That sounds like "the booze made me do it."

Plenty of people put alcohol in their bodies, but don't get behind the wheel. Its not about drinking, but about drinking to excess and being too stupid-drunk or inconsiderate of other people's safety (not to mention the law) to stay out from behind the wheel. If someone gets stupid-drunk and drives, the person needs a cot, a shrink, and three squares in the Greybar Hotel until they solve their drinking problem.

The law has to be supported by all the people in this state. When drunk drivers, esp. the youth, are given a whack across the backside by their friends and families as well as by the law, we will see significant change.

[Steve van Dresser]

Khal Spencer wrote:

<quoted text>
That sounds like "the booze made me do it."
Plenty of people put alcohol in their bodies, but don't get behind the wheel. Its not about drinking, but about drinking to excess and being too stupid-drunk or inconsiderate of other people's safety (not to mention the law) to stay out from behind the wheel. If someone gets stupid-drunk and drives, the person needs a cot, a shrink, and three squares in the Greybar Hotel until they solve their drinking problem.
The law has to be supported by all the people in this state. When drunk drivers, esp. the youth, are given a whack across the backside by their friends and families as well as by the law, we will see significant change.

Khal, they don't need to be put away until they get over their drinking problem. They need to be put away until they get over their driving problem.

[Illegal]

Here is a man that committed three crimes: 1) illegally entered the U.S.; 2) was arrested but never tried for DWI in 1999 because he did not show to court; and 3) killed two innocent people. There is NOTHING racist about the U.S. deporting illegal aliens. I know all you anti-Denvers are going to scream racist but I just wanted two thank you for bringing this S H I T to our community, along with the gangs, drugs, violence and as I have been saying for some time the DWI's. Mexico is corrupt and all you that defend illegal immigration and sanctuary city status are ruining this community.

Bottom line: this is not a story about lax DWI laws or deaths of two innocent people. It should be a story about an illegal immigrant who killed two American lives. Back when this first happened, other posters called me racist because I made comments about the hyphenated last name. Well then.

[Another]

• Hector Lujan-Fierro, 25, of the Santa Fe area, was arrested on Friday on charges of DWI and failure to maintain his lane of the roadway.

[And Another]

• Sheriff deputies arrested Ricardo Zuniga-Ponce, 21, after he was involved in a motor-vehicle accident at the intersection of the East Frontage Road and Rattle Snake Road. Deputies say he fled the scene of the accident. He was booked into jail on a DWI charge.

[And Another]

• Fernando Cruz-Mendez, 2800 Cerrillos Road, Apt. 169, was arrested at 2719 Cerrillos Road on Wednesday on a charge of possessing a controlled substance, believed to be cocaine. He was also served an outstanding magistrate warrant charging he had failed to appear in court on a previous charge.

[And Another]

Ruben Octavio Martinez, 29, of the Santa Fe area, was arrested Saturday on charges of aggravated driving while intoxicated, driving without a license or proof of insurance after he was found passed out in his vehicle at Calle Marie and Henry Lynch Road.

[And Another]

* Deputies arrested Jesus Palomino-Salazar, 39, address unavailable, on Wednesday and charged him with aggravated driving while intoxicated, possession of drug paraphernalia, weaving in traffic lanes, unsafe equipment, expired registration and no insurance. His breath-alcohol test was .19, more than twice the legal driving limit.

[And Another]

• Amado Flores-Maciel, 38, of Santa Fe, was charged with aggravated DWI, speeding, open container and driving without a license after a traffic stop at Cerrillos Road and West Frontage Road.

[And Another]

• Emanuel Ortiz-Vivanco, 22, of Santa Fe was arrested Saturday on charges of aggravated DWI, failure to give immediate notice of an accident and failure to provide proof of insurance after the pickup he was driving hit a parked car at 24 Calle Lazzo Errante and a fence on the same street a few blocks away.

[joan bobcat]

mexican national is a euphemism for illegal alien - call it what is is. and yet another tragic story of an american citizen killed by an individual who should not even be in this country...wake up folks!

[Eideard]

Most New Mexican judges don't consider killing someone while you're drunk a serious crime.

Useless political bureaucrats.