A young man's guilty plea marks a grim chapter close as he admitted to causing the death of a delivery driver while driving drunk last summer. Julio Alvarado, 25, of Lakeville, faced the weight of his actions in a Hennepin County court on Thursday, as reported by CBS Minnesota.
Alvarado conceded to two counts of criminal vehicular homicide for taking Aaron Zach's life, a 42-year-old Pizza Lucé driver who was simply carrying out his duties. According to court documents, Alvarado's defense will push for a more lenient sentence, including probation, despite the damning breath test reading which showed his blood-alcohol concentration was more than three times the legal limit. Zach was terminated tragically at the scene of the crash last Aug. 5, detailed by KSTP.
The incident unfolded at a Minneapolis intersection, where Zach's vehicle was struck with such force that it appeared "caved in." Witnesses reported seeing Alvarado's Ford F-150 hurtling down Lyndale Avenue South at speeds estimated between 50 to 60 mph. Subsequent field sobriety tests which Alvarado failed, coupled with a breath test indicating a .268 BAC, painted a clear narrative of the night's reckless abandon. The loss of life evident at the scene where Zach’s vehicle looked unrecognizable, an image that starkly captures the essence of such needless tragedy.
As the legal process moves forward, Alvarado awaits his sentencing on Feb. 20, where the final determination of his fate post-guilt will be decided. Though the court will determine the weight of his penance, the loss etched into the hearts of Zach's family, friends, and the Minneapolis community proves grievously indelible. This narrative was echoed in multiple witness testimonies, which gave credence to the speed and intoxication level, factors that aligned to snuff out a life prematurely.
