Oregon man gets 25 years for killing 3 teens in DUI crash

SALEM, Ore. — A Salem man was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison for driving drunk, speeding through a red light and killing three teens in a crash.

Juan Rodriguez-Palacios, 26, was sentenced Thursday for the crash that killed 19-year-old Trinity Watt of Salem, 19-year-old Madison Capobianco of Salem, and 18-year-old Makayla Tryon of Keizer, The Statesman Journal reported.

Last week, Rodriguez-Palacios was convicted of three counts of first-degree manslaughter, DUI and two counts of third-degree assault following a bench trial before Marion County Judge Thomas Hart.

Hart found Rodriguez-Palacios guilty on all charges, despite the defense’s arguments that Rodriguez-Palacios had committed the less-severe crimes of second-degree manslaughter.

Watt was driving her friends Capobianco and Tryon for a quick snack run the night of June 2.

She proceeded into an intersection with the right-of-way when Rodriguez-Palacios, who was driving at about 85 mph plowed into Watt’s vehicle.

His blood alcohol content was later tested to be 0.239% blood-alcohol content –almost three times the legal limit of 0.08.

All three teens died at the scene.

Two of Rodriguez-Palacios’ passengers were also injured.

Maison said Rodriguez-Palacios has been filled with remorse since the crash and has accepted responsibility.