Driver sentenced to 82 years in prison for 2022 Galveston golf cart crash that killed 4 people

GALVESTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The driver who slammed into a golf cart in Galveston, killing four members of a family in 2022, was sentenced to 82 years in prison on Friday.

Earlier this week, Miguel Espinoza pleaded guilty to all the charges against him.

The video above is from a previous report.

He pleaded guilty to four counts of intoxicated manslaughter and one count of intoxicated assault.

On Aug. 6, 2022, officials say Espinoza was driving drunk when he failed to stop at an intersection and slammed his SUV into a golf cart carrying a grandfather, his wife, their niece, and three grandkids.

Felipe Bentancur, 49; Destiny Uvalle, 25; Brailyn Cantu, 14; and Kaisyn Bentancur, 4, were killed in the crash. A fifth person was seriously hurt.

RELATED: Family calls for change after losing loved ones in golf cart crash: 'Drunk driving has to stop'

According to court documents, Espinoza failed to yield right of way at the stop sign and was driving at an unsafe speed. Witnesses told authorities Espinoza was walking away from the crash scene with a woman who later confirmed Espinoza was the one driving the car.

Once authorities reached Espinoza, they said he had bloodshot eyes, and his breath smelled like alcohol.

More than a month after the deadly incident, a bartender accused of improperly serving Espinoza, was arrested and booked into the Galveston County Jail.

READ MORE: Galveston bartender accused of improperly serving suspect in deadly golf cart crash

In 2023, Espinoza's bond was revoked after Rosenberg police pulled him over and learned he may have been operating vehicles without an Interlock device, which is a breathalyzer that prevents or allows drivers from starting a car based on their blood-alcohol level.

READ MORE: Galveston golf cart crash suspect pulled over in vehicle without Interlock device, police say

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
Galveston meeting to be held to discuss golf cart ordinance and DWI prevention after deadly crash
City to discuss safety measures after Galveston golf cart crash kills 4-year-old and other relatives
Lawsuit filed against alleged drunk driver in crash that killed 4 people in a golf cart in Galveston
Candlelight vigil held in honor of 4 family members killed in Galveston golf cart crash