Repeat Offender’s Drunk Driving Claims Innocent Life: When Will We Enforce Stricter Penalties?

In a distressing case highlighting the consequences of irresponsible behavior, 47-year-old Guillermo Chochi-Senobla has accepted a plea deal after being charged with driving under the influence (DUI), resulting in the death of 5-year-old Kamari Jordan Wolfe. The incident occurred in October 2023 near the Losee campus of Somerset Academy in North Las Vegas.

According to police reports, Chochi-Senobla, after dropping off his own child at school, attempted to bypass two stationary vehicles in the drop-off zone by entering the oncoming traffic lane. Simultaneously, young Kamari Wolfe exited his mother’s vehicle and was tragically struck by Chochi-Senobla’s work van.

Subsequent tests revealed Chochi-Senobla’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was .098, surpassing Nevada’s legal limit of .08. Alarmingly, at the time of the incident, he had an active DUI warrant from Texas, underscoring a pattern of negligent behavior.

Initially facing charges including DUI resulting in death and reckless driving, Chochi-Senobla’s plea agreement entails pleading guilty to the DUI charge. In return, the state has agreed not to make a sentencing recommendation, and the reckless driving charge will be dismissed upon sentencing. He faces a prison term ranging from a minimum of two years to a maximum of 20 years, along with fines between $2,000 and $5,000. Additionally, upon release, he will be mandated to install a breath ignition interlock device in his vehicle for one to three years.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of impaired driving. It underscores the imperative for personal responsibility and adherence to the law to ensure the safety of our communities.

Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal