A drunk driver who killed a grandmother and her grandson in Point Loma was sentenced on Sept. 21 to nearly 15 years in prison after hearing from the grieving family members.
The family of Suad Alsamarai, 81, and her grandson, Ahmed Mazin Salah Alrawi, 23, gathered before San Diego Superior Court Judge Daniel Goldstein to hear the sentence of the man who collided with the family’s minivan on Rosecrans Street on May 8.
The family escaped from Iraq years ago and are naturalized U.S. citizens. An interpreter was present in the audience so the parents could understand the proceedings in their language.
Edgar Jesus Suarez, 33, was living in his Toyota Tacoma and was speeding on Sports Arena Boulevard when he struck a median and it became airborne, landing on top of the family’s minivan around 9 p.m.
“I lost a son and my mother-in-law. Whatever has happened has destroyed my life,” said Zainab Alazawi, weeping. “He was a well-behaved person. He was going to graduate this year.”
Alazawi credited “my faith” as helping her get through “the chaos,” as she put it. “I’m hoping this will not happen to any other mother.”
“I lost my mother and my son. I couldn’t do anything for them,” said Mazin Alrawi. “I’m asking the court to punish the defendant with the highest punishment.”
The family members held framed photos up of Saud Alsamari and Ahmed Alrawi while they were speaking in court. After each speaker finished, Goldstein told them “I am sorry for your loss.”
Abdulah Alrawi, a younger son, recounted how he was driving the minivan when Suarez’s vehicle crashed into him. He said he tried to wake up his grandmother and brother, “but they couldn’t answer me.”
Pointing to Suarez in a jail unit behind a glass enclosure, Alrawi said, “Because of that man right there, I’ll never be an uncle.”
Suarez’s attorney Tatiana Kline, told the judge he had lost his job and his home and had a difficult life. He said he grew up in an unsafe home. She presented that information first before the family spoke.
Mahmoud, a friend of the grieving family, took issue with Suarez’s attorney, angrily saying the situation with Suarez was not comparable with the family.
“We escaped Iraq. We escaped oppression to have a better life,” said Mahmoud. “We believe in justice. We were not lucky enough to have justice in our country – that is why we are here.”
Kline said Suarez was beaten by his stepfather and “grew up watching this man abuse his mother.” She said that “greatly affected his problem.”
“We know he has the ability to change,” said Kline, adding that his mother has reconnected with him.
“Mr. Suarez will have to live with his guilt for the rest of his life,” said Kline.
Deputy District Attorney Cally Bright asked for the maximum sentence of 14 years and eight months in prison, which Goldstein imposed. He received consecutive terms for killing both victims and injuring two others.
Suarez will have to serve 85% of the 14 years and 8 months term in prison before he can be paroled, said the prosecutor.
Bright said Suarez’s blood/alcohol level was .16 three hours after the crash, which is twice the level of felony drunk driving. He also admitted using cocaine, she said.
Suarez pleaded guilty on July 25 to two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol causing injuries to others, and driving without a license.
Bright attempted to file second-degree murder charges against Suarez before he pleaded guilty to the existing charges, but Goldstein denied the request to add the charges on July 25.
Goldstein agreed to recommend Suarez go to prison in Corcoran, which has a drug treatment program. He denied a defense request to go to a fire camp because that involves shorter sentences.
Goldstein ordered Suarez to pay $21,441 in restitution, which may include funeral expenses and was fined $10,280. He was given credit for 156 days in jail. He said nothing during sentencing.
