A Spanish Fork man was sentenced Thursday to 180 days in jail and three years of probation after a high-speed crash on Interstate 80 in July 2022 killed one of his passengers. The BMW rolled across the median, caught fire, and a teen passenger was trapped inside. The victim was identified as 15-year-old James Munoz of Santaquin.
Judge: loss was avoidable
Third District Judge Adam Mow called the case “deeply tragic,” telling the courtroom, "The loss of Mr. Munoz is a consequence of Mr. Aceves' reckless actions. His death was wholly unnecessary and avoidable." Judge Mow sentenced 24-year-old Ricardo Aceves to 180 days in jail and three years of probation, suspending a potential zero to five year prison term, according to KSL.
Prosecutors point to video and extreme speeds
Prosecutors told the court that dashcam footage and charging documents showed Aceves making illegal passes, signaling other cars to race and traveling at extreme highway speeds before the wreck. Investigators put the speed at roughly 142 mph, with an alleged peak of 186 mph, and say a rear right tire experienced tread separation, sending the BMW across the median, where it rolled and caught fire, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety's incident summary.
Defense, apology and family reaction
Defense attorney Justin Morrison urged a lighter 105-day sentence, arguing that Aceves had shown remorse and was unlikely to reoffend. Aceves read a statement apologizing and saying he takes responsibility. Munoz’s mother, Leticia Munoz, attended the hearing remotely and told the court the family did not want charges filed, according to KSL.
Case timeline and evidence
The crash occurred on July 23, 2022, near milepost 108 on I-80. Aceves was formally charged in March 2025 with second-degree felony manslaughter after investigators tied the wreck to drivers leaving a FuelFest car show at Utah Motorsports Campus. Prosecutors say they recovered an action-camera dashcam from the burned vehicle that captured the driving behavior before the collision, according to FOX13.
Local enforcement context
The sentencing lands amid statewide enforcement efforts aimed at curbing excessive speed and dangerous driving. The Utah Highway Patrol and the Utah Department of Public Safety ran summer campaigns to deter aggressive driving and racing on public roads. Officials say those programs are part of a broader push to reduce highway tragedies like the one prosecutors say claimed James Munoz's life, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety.
