SAN DIEGO — Navy petty officer Richard Sepolio who was under the influence of alcohol when his pickup truck flew off a transition ramp to the San Diego-Coronado Bridge and crashed into a crowd in Chicano Park, killing four people was sentenced Thursday to 9 years, 8 months in state prison.
He received the maximum sentence possible following victim impact statements.
Sepolio, 27, was convicted in February of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and D-U-I causing injury in connection with the October 15 crash in 2016. The crash killed 50-year-old Annamarie Contreras, 52-year-old Cruz Contreras, 49-year-old Andre Banks, 46-year-old Francine Jiminez and seriously injured seven others.
On Thursday, nearly two dozen people read victim impact statements during Sepolio’s sentencing hearing. Those who spoke included the victims’ loved ones as well as Sepolio’s mother who told the court her son is not who he has been portrayed as in court.
“In this courtroom, people have made him out to look like an animal, accused him of murder and he’s not,” she said. “This was an accident.”
Sepolio sat stone-faced the entire time but did address the crowd apologizing for his actions.
“I’d like to say I’m whole-heartedly sorry for the loss, pain and all you've suffered,” he said. “I wish I could change so much.”
Many felt those words came too late and Sepolio was also criticized for wearing his Navy uniform in court.
The Navy has confirmed that because Sepolio is still in the Navy he was able to wear his uniform. They would not comment on whether they will move to have him dishonorably discharged.
The three daughters of Annamarie and Cruz Contreras talked about how the loss has impacted everyone in their family especially the couple’s grandchildren.
Family members also pleaded for the judge to hand down the maximum sentence.
Sepolio's attorney asked for probation.
In the end, the judge sentenced Sepolio to 9 years, 8 months in prison the most he could given the charges.