Jury sentences former sheriff’s deputy to 17 years in prison, no fine

The same jury that found Raymundo Carranza guilty of intoxicated manslaughter Monday sentenced him to 17 years in prison Tuesday.

The 49-year-old Carranza, a former El Paso County Sheriff’s deputy, will not have to pay a fine.

On May 12, 2012, Carranza was heading east on Spur 601 in a Honda Ridgeline when he struck 26-year-old Richard Lopez as he was changing a flat tire by the side of the road. Lopez died at the scene.

Carranza failed to stop and render aid, but returned to the scene hours later and told police investigating he knew hit something but could not tell what it was.

Carranza resigned from the sheriff’s office shortly after the deadly crash.

During the trial, prosecutors showed jurors a recording of Carranza’s interview with police detectives . In it, Carranza is heard telling detectives he had “three cape cods and a beer” at a restaurant with friends. Carranza is then heard saying he went to a bar, where he had another beer the night of the hit-and-run.

Prosecutors said Carranza’s BAC level the night of the crash was .106. The legal limit in Texas is .08.