SACRAMENTO, CA - The man accused of killing three people in a Sacramento crash last Saturday morning was denied a request to plead no contest to leaving the scene of an accident.
Omar Carrasco was arrested Saturday night in the 3:30 a.m. crash at the intersection of Center Parkway and Cosumnes River Boulevard.
According to Sacramento Police Sgt. Norm Leong, an Acura and a Lincoln collided in the middle of the road. The impact pushed both cars into a nearby field. The Acura caught fire.
Leong said two men died inside the burning car. Another was found in the grass nearby. Officials said he also died at the scene.
The three men were Gregory Valenzuela, 22; Raoul Perez, 23and Manuel Ruiz, 24.
A fourth man, also ejected during the crash, was rushed to Kaiser Permanente's south Sacramento hospital but was expected to survive, Leong said.
According to investigators, Carrasco fled the scene. He was found seeking medical treatment at Kaiser Saturday night and arrested.
During Tuesday's proceedings, the Sacramento County District Attorney's office formally charged Carrasco with felony hit and run causing death.
Carrasco entered a plea of no contest, however the judge denied the plea.
After Tuesday's hearing, Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Grippi explained the judge's denial was based on Proposition 9 that was passed last year.
"The victims' families have a right to be present, if they so request, at any kind of an important proceedings in a case. Right now they're preparing for funerals and not available to be in court," Grippi said.
Another man who survived the crash and his family were present at Tuesday's proceedings.
If other family members of the victims are able to make Wednesday's court hearing, Grippi said he would accept the Carrasco's plea of no contest, which carries a maximum penalty of three years in state prison.
Grippi added Carrasco could face further charges, but it was unclear if or when that would happen. "The investigation is ongoing. The police department is still investigating and if the evidence supports further charges, we will charge him," Grippi said.
Sacramento Police Department investigators have not yet determined which car caused the crash.
According to DMV records, Carrasco has a history of DUI arrests. His license had been suspended five times for DUI-related offenses.
His latest suspension was in February for cancellation of a specific type of insurance required for anyone convicted of DUI.
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