Man convicted in student’s death

A Downey man was found guilty by jury today of causing the fiery crash that killed a Cal State Long Beach student a year ago.

Kenneth John McNair, 22, was convicted of killing 20-year-old Jose Pacheco after crashing into Pacheco’s car Nov. 16, 2008. McNair was found guilty of vehicular manslaughter by unlawful act with gross negligence while intoxicated and one misdemeanor count of driving without a valid license with a sentencing enhancement for fleeing the scene of a crime.

McNair faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in state prison at his sentencing Jan. 29 in courtroom C-34 at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. He pleaded not guilty in March to all charges.

McNair drank at his house with a friend before taking a taxi cab to a local bar the night of the accident, according to a news release from the Orange County district attorney’s office. He then took a cab home, but got into his Honda sedan and drove to Sharkeez in Huntington Beach, where he had more drinks.

McNair then drove almost 90 mph on Goldenwest Street as he and a friend left the bar at 1:30 a.m. As McNair approached the intersection of Edinger Avenue and Goldenwest, he crashed into Pacheco’s Ford Mustang and sideswiped another car waiting at the red light, according to the news release.

Pacheco’s car was pushed across the intersection and burst into flames. Police and witnesses were unable to rescue him, and he died of his injuries.

McNair, accused of fleeing on foot, was arrested by Huntington Beach Police one block away.

Almost two hours after the crash, authorities said, McNair had a blood-alcohol level of .25%, more than three times the legal limit.

— Britney Barnes