NAPA COUNTY, Calif. – A man has been convicted of second-degree murder and gross vehicular manslaughter after a tragic incident in 2020 that resulted in the death of an 87-year-old man in Yountville. Mauricio Ramirez Aguilar, 40, was found guilty by a jury following a 12-day trial for driving under the influence and causing a fatal collision.
The fatal crash occurred on October 17, 2020, when Aguilar was driving a pickup truck at a dangerously high speed on state Highway 29 and collided with a Nissan Pathfinder, which tragically resulted in the death of Constantine Tsavalas. It was revealed through an investigation that Aguilar had a blood alcohol content of .204 percent at the time of the accident, nearly three times the legal limit, and was traveling at about 86 mph or more.
This is not the first time Aguilar has been involved in such incidents, as prosecutors disclosed that he had two prior DUI convictions, both of which also included collisions. One such incident in 2019 led to first responders rescuing Aguilar from his burning car after crashing into a power pole near the California Highway Patrol office in Napa while unconscious.
Aguilar had received a Watson Admonition during his previous DUI convictions, which serves as a warning to individuals convicted of driving under the influence about the potential consequences of their actions, including the possibility of being charged with murder if their actions lead to someone’s death. As Aguilar awaits sentencing on June 12, the community reflects on the devastating impact of driving under the influence and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their choices behind the wheel.