Man convicted in hit-and-run death of Long Beach toddler
A drunk driver whose vehicle struck a wagon containing two toddlers in Long Beach in September was convicted Wednesday of second-degree murder and other felony charges, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney's office.
After two days of deliberation, a Long Beach jury convicted 35-year-old Neely L. Dinkins of one count each of second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence with injury, driving with a blood alcohol level of more than 0.08% with injury and leaving the scene of an accident, prosecutors said.
Dinkins will be sentenced by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Tomson T. Ong on March 8. He faces a minimum sentence of 30 years to life.
In September 2009, Kaylee Alvarez, 1, and her 2-year-old brother, Oscar, were in a red wagon being pulled by their parents across Redondo Avenue at 10th Street in Long Beach. The wagon was struck by an SUV and dragged, along with the two children, a block before stopping.
Oscar rolled out from under the SUV and was immediately rescued by a Good Samaritan. But Kaylee was dragged with the wagon again when the vehicle sped away from the scene.
Dinkins was arrested a mile away when he stopped at a home. Kaylee was pronounced dead at the scene.
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-- Ruben Vives
EDITOR'S PICKS:
I can't even finish reading this story....what a nightmare. i hate drunks.
Posted by: keno | February 02, 2011 at 08:57 PM
What a disgusting person. I am very glad he will be forced to take responsibility for what he did. Especially now, since the new culture says that instead of taking responsibility for your actions, you should hit, leave them in the street like dead dogs and run like hell!
Posted by: Astonished | February 03, 2011 at 07:17 AM
Really !!
This guy should get the death penalty ....he earned it!
Posted by: shadowpark | February 03, 2011 at 08:00 AM
Too bad he can't be dragged for a mile behind a car as punishment for his deed. Damn coward. He knew he hit two babies and wouldn't stop for nothing. Maybe it's time to close down all the bars in the USA that might be a start to curb drunk driving since people will never get the message through their CONCRETE THICK HEADS.
Posted by: Val | February 03, 2011 at 08:31 AM