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Anaheim Man Sentenced To Prison In Vehicular Manslaughter Of 2 Friends

SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — A 24-year-old man was convicted Thursday for killing two friends by crashing into a light pole after losing control of his vehicle.

According to the Orange County District Attorney's Office, Ryan Manuel Hernandez of Anaheim was sentenced to spend nine years and four months in state prison.

According to police, around 2:00 a.m. on Feb. 10, 2012, Hernandez drove under the influence of alcohol on La Mirada Boulevard in Buena Park after celebrating a friend's 24th birthday, Jose Zuniga, at a bar in Fullerton.

Jose Zuniga rode in the front passenger seat, with Everado Zuniga, 22, and Jose Hernandez traveling in the back seat, police said.

According to officers, the impaired driver struck a raised median while attempting to change lanes and lost control of his vehicle, which sent them into a light pole.

The two men trapped in the back seat of the vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. Jose Zuniga refused medical attention.

According to the Buena Park Police Department, Hernandez showed signs of alcohol intoxication, including bloodshot, watery eyes and strongly smelled of alcohol.

He was transported for treatment of a sprained arm and was released to police custody, officials said.

According to the district attorney, Hernandez was found guilty of two felony counts of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated without gross negligence.

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