Man gets 11 years in student’s death

A Downey man convicted of killing a Cal State Long Beach student in a fiery crash in Huntington Beach was sentenced to 11 years in prison Friday.

Kenneth John McNair, 23, was found guilty in December of one felony count of vehicular manslaughter by unlawful act with gross negligence while intoxicated for killing 20-year-old Jose Pacheco after crashing into Pacheco’s car Nov. 16, 2008, according to court records. He was also convicted of a misdemeanor count of driving without a valid license with a sentencing enhancement for fleeing the scene of a crime.

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

He then drove almost 90 mph on Goldenwest Street as he and a friend left the bar at 1:30 a.m., officials said. As he approached Edinger and Goldenwest, he crashed into Pacheco’s Mustang and sideswiped another car at the light.

— Britney Barnes