Drunk, he ran a stop sign and killed a teen. Guilty of murder, he faces life in prison

A 34-year-old Modesto man faces a life sentence in prison after being convicted Thursday of second-degree murder in a hit-and-run crash that occurred the summer of 2015. That collision killed 19-year-old Nenar Zaia of Modesto.

Luiz Miguel Ortega, who was identified in early reports as Luis Ortega, was convicted after a two-week Stanislaus County Superior Court jury trial of second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter with intoxication, and hit-and-run with death, all felonies.

A news release from the District Attorney's Office said Ortega had twice before been convicted of DUI-related offenses, making him eligible for prosecution on murder charges.

Shortly before 2 a.m. Aug. 16, 2015, Ortega was driving his Toyota Camry on Haddon Avenue in Modesto when he ran a stop sign at high speed and hit the Subaru Legacy that Zaia was driving.

Witnesses saw Ortega run from the accident. Police apprehended him a couple of blocks away from the scene after a resident saw him limping down Miller Avenue.

Ortega’s DNA was found on the driver’s side air bag of his car, the DA's Office said. Police also found several cans of beer in the car, as well as a red and black shoe that matched the one he was wearing when arrested.

A chemical test showed Ortega’s blood level to be borderline 0.17/0.18 percent, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent. He also tested positive for active methamphetamine and marijuana in his system, the DA's Office said.

Ortega also was convicted of misdemeanor driving on a suspended license.

Sentencing and victim impact statements will take place at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 15. Ortega faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years to life in state prison.

Deputy District Attorney Tony Colacito prosecuted the case.

This story was originally published January 19, 2018 at 1:44 PM with the headline "Drunk, he ran a stop sign and killed a teen. Guilty of murder, he faces life in prison."