NORTH COAST, Calif. — A Napa man will do jail time for a traffic crash in 2023 that killed an Oregon couple.

Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley on Friday announced the sentencing of Porfirio Sanchez, age 57, to one year in jail for his role in the death of Christian Deaton, 52, and his wife Michelle Deaton, 48.

On the morning of Oct. 17, 2023, Sanchez failed to properly secure the lumber load he was hauling along Silverado Trail, causing a large piece of lumber to swing out perpendicular to the truck and strike the Deatons, who were riding their bicycles alongside the road. Both bicyclists lost their lives due to the collision.

On Nov. 14, 2024, Sanchez signed an agreement in which he pled no contest to two counts of vehicular manslaughter. Sanchez agreed to serve up to four years in state prison for the crimes he pleaded to, according to the plea agreement.

During Friday’s sentencing hearing Napa County Deputy District Attorney Shashawnya Worley, who prosecuted the case against Sanchez, requested the court sentence Sanchez to four years in state prison in accordance with the plea agreement.

After hearing testimony from Mr. Deaton’s brother in which he requested leniency for Sanchez, and reading victim impact statements submitted in this case, Napa County Superior Court Judge Scott Young sentenced Sanchez to 364 days in jail.

Judge Young, however, stayed 180 of those days upon completion of 180 hours of community service related to bike safety, or other program authorized by the Napa County Probation Department.

Sanchez was additionally sentenced to two years of formal probation with terms and conditions.

“It seems that everyone in this case, generally, is requesting justice and mercy,” Judge Young stated during Friday’s sentencing. “The court is moved by the amount of grace in this courtroom by all the families.”

During the sentencing hearing, Worley said, “This case boils down to two happy, healthy lives that were cut short due to the negligence of the defendant. Their deaths have had a profound impact on their family and friends. There’s nothing I can say or do today that can bring their loved ones back, but I hope that this sentence can bring them closure.”