SAN ANTONIO – A driver was sentenced to 18 years in prison in the death of a UTSA student.
Carlton Jenkins, 24, was sentenced to 18 years by District Court Judge Mary Roman for Intoxication Manslaughter. He was also sentenced to a concurrent 10 years in prison for Intoxication Assault.
On Feb. 16, 2014, shortly after 1 a.m., Jenkins slammed into the back of the car driven by Brandon Guzman, 21. Guzman’s car was stopped at a red light, and it is estimated that Jenkins was traveling 100 mph at the time of the impact.
Guzman died instantly, and a passenger in Jenkins’ car, Joanna Avalos, was paralyzed from the waist down as a result of the accident. Jenkins had minor injuries.
Avalos testified that she and another passenger in Jenkins’ car had asked him to slow down moments before the crash at Loop 1604 and West Hausman Road. Toxicology results showed that Jenkins had a blood alcohol concentration of a .20 at the time of the accident – more than twice the legal limit.
Guzman’s mother testified about her son and described the tremendous loss her family has experienced. Guzman, she said, was at The University of Texas at San Antonio studying to become a physical therapist.