Man admitted drinking, using meth before crash that killed girl, 12
Jan 08, 2025
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- A man charged with murder in a high-speed crash that killed a 12-year-old girl admitted snorting methamphetamine and drinking beer and whiskey, and said he couldn't remember details of the collision, according to court filings.
Diego Godinez told Bakersfield police investigators he uses meth and drinks alcohol daily -- and knows drinking and driving is dangerous, the filings say.
"I wish it would have been me instead of her," Godnez said when told the girl had died. "I know that nothing I say can make her feel better."
Godinez, 35, is being held without bail on charges including second-degree murder. A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled next month.
A prosecutor has said Godinez had a blood-alcohol content of 0.21% and was driving 104 mph on Nov. 22 when his Chevy SUV collided with a Honda sedan at the intersection of Hosking and South Union avenues.
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Two passengers in the Honda, Anabel Marie Ramirez and an 11-year-old boy, were taken to a hospital with major injuries. Ramirez died about 90 minutes later, according to the coroner’s office.
Godinez suffered a broken hip and other injuries and was taken to Kern Medical. Investigators interviewed him there four days later.
Asked how the crash occurred, Godinez said, "I don't remember at all . . . the only thing I can about that (sic) probably just like when the liquor hit me."
He told investigators he snorted a line of meth that morning before going to work -- he said he's smoked or snorted meth daily for the past 11 years -- and drank a "three-pack" of beer after work. He also bought a fifth of Jack Daniel's whiskey and drank half the bottle before driving his two children to their mother's home in southwest Bakersfield, Godinez said according to the filings.
After dropping them off, he was headed to a friend's home in south Bakersfield. He said he couldn't recall where the crash occurred, whether he was wearing a seat belt or other details.
"(Godinez) stated that he drinks alcohol every day, but he does not typically get drunk like this," an investigator wrote in the filings.