A parolee who stole a tow truck shortly after being released from prison and then crashed into a group of people, killing three, pleaded guilty Thursday to three counts of murder.
Raymond David Bermudez, 30, apologized to families of his victims and was sentenced to 140 years to life in prison by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Philip Hickok, said Deputy District Attorney Ian Phan.
Bermudez, who was previously convicted of assault and drug possession, was released from Salinas State Prison on Oct. 6 and took a bus to Los Angeles, where he stole a tow truck in Huntington Park.
He collided with nine vehicles before he drove onto a curb and struck 11 pedestrians at a bus stop at Vernon and Santa Fe avenues.
The prosecutor said Bermudez drank throughout the day and had a 0.16 percent blood-alcohol level five hours after the crash.
Two of those killed were a husband and wife, Daniel Donrantes, 35, and Rosa Carrera, 34, who are survived by seven children.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 1, 2006. Read the original PDF.