BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Oscar Ali Bengoa Alas, age 28, was sentenced to serve 70 months (5.8 years) in prison with credit for time already served followed by 18 months community custody after pleading guilty to felony vehicular homicide.
The crash was reported about 8:45pm on September 28, 2021, at the intersection of Woburn, Iowa and Yew Streets. First responders arrived to find a 2007 Dodge Charger resting on its side after colliding with a tree.
Witnesses reported seeing 2 cars racing east on Iowa Street and when they passed the intersection 1 lost control and collided with the tree. When police arrived, the driver was walking outside the car and the passenger remained in the car with critical injuries. The 28-year-old passenger was declared dead at the scene.
According to court documents, Bengoa Alas had an alcohol level of 0.11 (0.08 or higher is deemed under the influence by state law) at the time of the crash.
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Bengoa Alas was originally charged with vehicular homicide while driving under the influence but pled to vehicular homicide while driving recklessly. His criminal history consisted of a negligent driving misdemeanor in Sedro-Woolley Municipal Court.
The standard sentencing range was determined by the court to be 78 to 102 months. As a result, the sentence of 70 months is considered an “exceptional sentence” and was agreed to by both the defense and prosecutors.
A gross misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence was dismissed.
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