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Suspect in DUI crash that killed prominent Wasco man sentenced to 11 years in prison

Crash killed Melvin McLaughlin in August 2016
Posted at 8:46 PM, Dec 18, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-18 23:46:06-05

A man accused of killing a Wasco City Council member while driving drunk last year was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Monday. 

Lorenzo Alonzo was driving under the influence and struck a car being driven by Melvin McLaughlin on Golden State Highway and 7th Standard Road in August 2016. 

RELATED: Cause and manner of death of prominent figure released by the Kern County Coroner's Office

McLaughlin was a former Kern County Fire Captain, member of the Wasco City Council and chairman of the Kern County Formation Commission.

RELATED: Suspect involved in fatal crash had three previous DUIs

Alonzo, who had three previous DUIs before the deadly crash, was convicted on Dec. 18 on two felony counts, including gross vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence.