Prison sentence for DUI crash in west Modesto

A 44-year-old man was sentenced to 16 months in prison for driving drunk, crashing into an oncoming vehicle and injuring two people in west Modesto.

Hijinio Cortez, of Modesto, on Feb. 10 was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and causing injury, according to the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office.

Deputy District Attorney Scott Uemura prosecuted the case. His job to handle DUI cases is funded by a grant from the state Office of Traffic Safety.

About 8 p.m. on Sept. 17, Cortez was driving a vehicle on Highway 132 near Spencer Avenue. Prosecutors said Cortez’s vehicle swerved across the solid double yellow lines and struck the oncoming vehicle. Two people in that vehicle were injured.

Authorities determined Cortez’s blood-alcohol level was .28 percent, which is more than three times the legal limit. Prosecutors said Cortez had a previous conviction of driving under the influence in 2007.

This story was originally published March 19, 2015 at 12:33 PM with the headline "Prison sentence for DUI crash in west Modesto."