Man gets 11 years in student’s death

A Downey man convicted of killing a Cal State Long Beach student in a fiery crash in Huntington Beach was sentenced to 11 years in prison today.

Kenneth John McNair, 23, was found guilty in December of one felony count of vehicular manslaughter by unlawful act with gross negligence while intoxicated for killing 20-year-old Jose Pacheco after crashing into Pacheco’s car Nov. 16, 2008, according to court records. He was also convicted of a misdemeanor count of driving without a valid license with a sentencing enhancement for fleeing the scene of a crime.

McNair drank at his house with a friend before taking a taxi cab to a local bar the night of the accident, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office. He then took a cab home, but got into his Honda sedan and drove to Sharkeez in Huntington Beach, where he had more drinks.

He then drove almost 90 mph on Goldenwest Street as he and a friend left the bar at 1:30 a.m., officials said. As he approached the intersection of Edinger Avenue and Goldenwest, he crashed into Pacheco’s Ford Mustang and sideswiped another car waiting at the red light.

Pacheco’s car was pushed across the intersection and burst into flames. Police and witnesses were unable to rescue him and he died, officials said.

McNair fled the scene on foot, but Huntington Beach police arrested him one block away.

Officers said McNair had a blood-alcohol level of 0.25%, more than three times the legal limit, almost two hours after the crash, according to the district attorney’s office.

During the trial, McNair testified that he had no memory of the crash or leaving the scene, according to the district attorney’s office.

— Britney Barnes