Man who killed 3 California rideshare passengers in crash sentenced to 26 years
A Los Angeles man who killed two Orange County sisters and their childhood friend in a 2023 high-speed crash was sentenced to 26 years in state prison on Monday, May 5.
Gregory Black, 34, accepted a plea deal that includes him serving 18 years in prison for violating probation and eight years for three felony counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.
Family members of the victims expressed frustration with the plea agreement, saying they wanted a lengthier sentence of 25 years to life for each person who died.
“I want justice,” said Araceli Izquierdo, who lost two daughters in the crash. “I want him to pay for life just like we have.”
The fatal collision occurred on Aug. 26, 2023, on South Vermont Avenue and West Century Boulevard in South LA. The defendant already was on probation for a 2021 attempted murder case when he sped through a red light and T-boned the occupants of a Honda sedan Uber rideshare. Black struck the Uber with such force that LAPD Detective Ryan Moreno said the Honda spun five times counter-clockwise before it slammed into a wall.
Two sisters, Kimberly Izquierdo, 27, Veronica Amezola, 23, of Santa Ana, and their childhood friend Juvelyn Arroyo, 23, of San Juan Capistrano died in the crash. Three other occupants suffered critical injuries.
“We were under the impression this was going to trial up until two weeks ago”, said Kimberly and Veronica’s older brother, Jose Izquierdo. “They didn’t consider us. We feel that part of justice is letting the public see the evidence.”
At the Compton courthouse Monday, family members and loved ones of the deceased donned matching shirts memorializing those lost as they shared victim impact statements.
“I’m here today to say how disappointed I am with the outcome of the charges and sentence that will be given to the defendant. I trust that in time life will do justice for us,” said Marlen Izquierdo.
“My sisters won’t be able to see me graduate high school, won’t be able to wish me good luck in college, won’t be my bridesmaids when I get married,” said Valeria Amezola, Kimberly and Veronica’s younger sister. “How is that fair?”.
“Veronica wasn’t just my best friend. She was the person I called when everything fell apart. The one who never judged me. The one who carried me through the hardest years of my life. She was my peace. My protector. My laughter. She was the safe place I could always return to…Now she’s gone and I’m not the same,” said Sheila Blancarte, who was childhood friends with all three victims.