A Tulare County jury on Friday found a 22-year-old man guilty of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated in connection with a fatal 2024 wrong-way crash on Highway 99.

The collision occurred around 3:11 a.m. on April 24, 2024, near Betty Drive in Goshen when Saul Saldana Armenta was driving southbound in the northbound lane in his Dodge Charger and struck a 21-year-old man in a Honda Civic. The victim, an electrician engaged to be married and on his way to work, died at the scene.

Authorities said Saldana Armenta showed multiple signs of intoxication and was taken to the hospital, where he underwent surgery. Blood tests later revealed a blood-alcohol level of 0.21%. He was released on bail before his trial.

At trial, prosecutors secured a conviction with the aggravating factor that the crime involved great bodily harm or the threat of great bodily harm. Saldana Armenta, who had no prior criminal record, was immediately taken into custody following the verdict.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 5. Under California law, he faces up to 10 years in state prison.

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