Man convicted of driving drunk, killing nurse sentenced to 180 days in jail

The Sunland Park man found guilty of intoxication manslaughter for the death of an El Paso nurse has been sentenced to 180 days in jail.

Lorenzo Anchondo, who was facing up to 20 years in prison, was also sentenced 10 years probation. The El Paso Times reports the jury originally sentenced Anchondo to a suspended 10-year prison sentence. According to the Times, the judge overruled the jury and ordered Anchondo to serve at least 180 days in jail, in addition to the probation.

Wednesday, a jury unanimously found Anchondo guilty for the March 2017 wreck that resulted in the death of Xiaoyan Shi.

Anchondo, driving drunk, crashed into a stop sign in Wes El Paso. Shi, a pedestrian, died after the stop sign struck her in the head.

Emotional, and having a hard time speaking, Anchondo recounted what he has been through since the night of the incident, telling the jury, “it’s something I wake up thinking about. It’s on my back.”

Anchondo asked jury to punish him as they see best.

“When I learned she had a daughter, that hurt the most,” Anchondo said, “I wanted the trial to pay respect to her memory, her family, and her husband.”

Shi’s husband, Xiato Xu, testified during the sentencing phase Thursday morning. “She was exceptional. She not only provided the best care for her patients, but went above and beyond,” said Xu.

Overwhelmed with emotion, the widower struggled to speak when describing his wife.

According to El Paso police, Anchondo’s blood alcohol content was .17 percent, more than twice the legal limit.

Prosecutors played footage of Anchondo failing multiple field sobriety tests. They also displayed receipts of numerous alcoholic beverages they say were purchased on his credit card.