Drunk Driver Gets 4-Year Sentence
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NORWALK — A man who admitted that he was drunk when his car hit and killed a crossing guard near an elementary school was sentenced Wednesday to four years in state prison.
Patrick Robert McLaughlin, 43, of Anaheim pleaded guilty July 23 to one count each of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and hit-and-run causing death.
McLaughlin was driving through Whittier June 8 at 50 m.p.h. when he swerved to avoid stopped cars in the intersection of Carmenita Road and Trumball Street, authorities said.
His car struck John Antonio Vela, 66, of Pomona, a crosswalk guard at Lake Marie Elementary School.
Vela, who was wearing an orange reflective vest and holding a stop sign, was escorting two girls across the intersection when he was hit.
McLaughlin was arrested a short time later at a nearby industrial park.
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