Man sentenced in New Year’s Day hit-and-run case

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - 45-year-old Alfredo Flores has been sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison.

Forty-five-year-old Alfredo Flores pleaded guilty last month to manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident involving death. Prosecutors say Flores struck 21-year-old Esteyan Medel with his car on New Year’s Day last year.

Medel’s family attended the sentencing hearing and spoke about the impact of his death. His father, Steve Medel Jr., said the sentence cannot replace the life that was taken.

“I lost my son. We lost a family member,” Medel said. “That’s something we will never get back. No amount of time is going to bring him back.”

Flores was originally charged with second-degree murder, leaving the scene of an accident, and two counts of driving under the influence of drugs before he later entered the guilty plea.

Medel’s relatives also urged people to avoid driving under the influence.

“Drinking and driving, drugging and driving is not the way to go,” Steve Medel Jr. said. “You don’t know the damage it can do to a person.”

Family members described Esteyan Medel as kind and positive, saying his death has left a lasting impact on those close to him.

“We’ve got to live with it now,” said his uncle, Mark. “Just live your life, love your life, and laugh a little every day.”

Flores began serving his sentence today.