Hit-and-run driver sentenced to 6 years Hit-and-run driver sentenced to 6 years (December 17, 2004)

Defendent showed remorse for causing friend's death

A Sunnyvale man was sentenced to six years in state prison last week in connection with a vehicle accident that claimed the life of a Los Gatos woman who was his passenger, according to Deputy District Attorney Jim Demertzis.

Joshua Aragon, 22, pleaded guilty on Oct. 14 to one count of gross vehicular manslaughter, one count of driving under the influence causing injury, one count of driving under the influence, and one count of hit-and-run resulting in death, Demertzis said.

Aragon was arrested on July 28 following a crash in Sunnyvale that killed 23-year-old Kristina Hamill.

Aragon was driving his 1991 Cadillac El Dorado on a transition road from northbound U.S. Highway 101 to westbound state Highway 237 around 3 a.m. when he allegedly failed to negotiate a curve in the road, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The vehicle went down a 40-foot embankment and overturned, striking a tree, authorities said.

Aragon fled the scene and wandered onto Moffett Federal Airfield property where he was questioned by airfield police and a sheriff's deputy.

Because of minor facial injuries from the crash, Aragon was taken to a local hospital for treatment where authorities report he was cited for public intoxication.

Aragon had not mentioned the crash when questioned about his injuries and how he ended up on a federal airfield, police said.

Once he was released from the hospital, Aragon returned to a Mountain View residence where he told his father that he believed he might have hurt someone in the crash.

Aragon's father contacted Mountain View police and upon arrival at the scene nearly seven hours later, officers located Hamill lying outside of the vehicle.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Demertzis said Hamill's mother spoke during the sentencing regarding the pain her daughter's death has caused.

Aragon apologized during a statement read to the court and showed remorse for his actions, according to Demertzis.
-- Bay City News

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