Sonoma County driver sentenced for 5th DUI

(KRON) — A drunk driver was convicted of his fifth DUI, but over the objections of prosecutors, a judge declined to sentence him to prison on Monday.

Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Dana Simonds overruled prosecutors’ objections and instead sentenced Juan Garnica Vigil to probation. The judge also ordered Vigil to enroll in a substance abuse treatment program, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Vigil, 60, was on felony probation when he was arrested for his most recent DUI in Santa Rosa. His blood alcohol content was 0.33, his driver’s license was suspended by the DMV, and he failed to install an ignition interlock device in his vehicle, prosecutors said.

At sentencing, the District Attorney unsuccessfully sought the maximum penalty of three years, eight months in state prison.

Santa Rosa man accused of killing mom before setting her house on fire

On June 2, 2023, Vigil was detained by the Santa Rosa Police Department at the intersection of Senna Drive and Baggett Drive after he crashed his pickup truck into a parked car. He repeatedly tried to start his truck before police arrived, but the engine failed to start, investigators said.

Prosecutors said, “Vigil appeared highly intoxicated. He provided a breath test measuring .33/.31 blood alcohol level in his system, which is approximately four times the legal limit of .08 blood alcohol.” He was arrested at the scene.

Vigil was convicted for three separate DUIs in 2014. He was also convicted of felony DUI in 2018.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.