Yuma man gets probation after fatal rollover crash

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - A Yuma man was sentenced to probation Thursday after accepting a plea deal in a rollover crash that killed a Yuma woman.

Jesus Garcia, 20, will serve 60 months of probation after a deadly street-racing crash in January of 2025 that claimed the life of his passenger, Ashley Lopez, 18.

Garcia pleaded guilty to manslaughter. All of the other charges he was facing including second degree murder were dropped.

He faced a five-year prison sentence, with a maximum of ten years, but received probation instead.

"The court does find that probation is appropriate in your case. A lack of previous criminal history and your attempt to render aid to the people who were injured—it was a poor decision, a bad decision that resulted in a horrible consequence," said Judge David M. Hobbs. "The court does not find that there was any malicious intent to harm anyone."

Garcia will begin serving his probation sentence immediately.