A Fresno man with a prior DUI conviction was sentenced Thursday to 15 years to life in state prison for causing a 2022 crash that killed a 17-year-old girl.

Michael Anthony Mendoza, 28, pleaded guilty last month to second-degree murder and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated in connection with the March 18, 2022, collision that killed Sarahi Ramirez-Rodriguez.

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Authorities say Mendoza was driving a Chevy Tahoe northbound on Marks Avenue at 8:40 p.m. when he ran a stop sign at Jensen Avenue and slammed into a GMC Yukon driven by Ramirez-Rodriguez, who had the right-of-way.

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She was taken to a hospital, where she died.

California Highway Patrol officers responding to the scene noted Mendoza showed signs of intoxication, prosecutors said.

Witnesses told investigators he had been driving erratically and at high speeds. Toxicology results revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.19% — more than twice the legal limit — and the presence of marijuana.

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Mendoza was on probation at the time following a 2019 DUI conviction, which included a court warning that driving under the influence could lead to a murder charge if someone was killed.

Members of Ramirez-Rodriguez’s family were present for the sentencing.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Steven Ueltzen with assistance from Senior District Attorney Investigator Braden McFarland. Judge Gabriel Brickey imposed the sentence.

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