The drunk driver who killed National City resident Oscar Melero was sentenced April 20 to 14 years in state prison after he pleaded guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
San Diego Superior Court Judge Charles Rogers ordered Abraham Granados Beltran, 25, to pay $13,400 in restitution for funeral expenses and gave him credit for 488 days in jail.
Melero, 52, was a hair stylist in in Hillcrest. Several co-workers and his partner, Ryan Rhodes, of National City, also spoke at the sentencing. “He was one of the most peaceful souls I ever met,” said Rhodes.
“I almost never see the kind of grace and forgiveness as shown by Mr. Melero’s supporters and family,” said the judge.
“The world is a lesser place since his passing. He strikes me as an exceptionally bright light,” said Rogers. “What a terrible loss.”
“If I could switch places (between) Mr. Melero and Mr. Beltran, with all due respect to Mr. Beltran, I would do it in a heartbeat,” said Rogers.
Melero was killed Feb. 15, 2015 while he was waiting in his car to participate in the California 10/20 run on Interstate 5 near Del Mar. Beltran, of San Juan Capistrano, struck Melero’s car at approximately 75 mph around 7 a.m. after partying and getting no sleep the night before, said prosecutor Cally Bright.
Beltran apologized for his actions. He also pleaded guilty to injuring three other people in the wreck. His attorney, Alma Cruz, said his guilty pleas resulted in “sparing everyone a trial.”
“I think redemption is beyond no person—a personal journey you must make,” said Rogers to Beltran.
A second-degree murder charge was added to the charges last May, but was dropped Feb. 26 when Beltran pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter. Beltran didn’t have a valid driver’s license at the time because it was revoked due to several drunk driving convictions in Orange County in 2011 and 2012.
Rogers fined him $720, but ordered the restitution be paid first.
