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- A jury found Vicente Jose Perez guilty of second-degree murder and hit-and-run.
- Prosecutors said Perez was drunk driving when he struck bicyclist Jordan Rodriguez.
- Prosecutors said Perez faces a maximum sentence of 19 years to life in prison.
A man previously convicted of drunk driving was found guilty of second-degree murder and hit-and-run for the death of a bicyclist two years ago in North Sacramento.
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The Sacramento County jury on Wednesday returned with its guilty verdict for Vicente Jose Perez, 55, in the 2024 death of Jordan Nicolas Rodriguez, 38, of Sacramento.
Perez was previously convicted of driving under the influence. He was ordered by the court to attend a Mothers Against Drunk Driving victim Impact panel discussion, where he was advised of the dangers and consequences of driving under the influence, according to a news release from the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office.
On Oct. 12, 2024, Perez was driving his vehicle while under the influence of alcohol when he struck and killed Rodriguez, who was riding a bicycle, prosecutors said.
Perez drove away, lost control of his vehicle, crashed into a ditch and didn’t call police to report the crash, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Sacramento County coroner records show the deadly crash with the bicyclist occurred on Marysville Boulevard at Main Avenue in the Robla area of North Sacramento. Rodriguez died from blunt force injuries.
Prosecutors said Sacramento police officers found the suspect vehicle with significant damage and human biological material on the vehicle’s driver’s side, roof and trunk.
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Officers spoke with Perez and observed signs of intoxication, including the odor of alcohol on Perez, red and watery eyes and slurred speech, according to the DA’s Office.
Prosecutors said Perez performed poorly in field sobriety tests and blew a 0.14% and a 0.13% into a breathalyzer, and a blood test showed he had a 0.14% blood alcohol level. That is nearly twice California’s legal limit for drivers of 0.08%.
At the time of the blood test, Perez also had in his system THC, the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana, according to the DA’s Office.
On Thursday afternoon, Perez remained in custody at the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center near Elk Grove.
Perez’s sentencing hearing is scheduled on Oct. 23 in Sacramento Superior Court. Prosecutors said Perez faces a maximum sentence of 19 years to life in prison.
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