Fatal crash suspect an illegal immigrant with 4 DUIs
Oroville Mercury Register
April 12, 2007

ANTIOCH — An undocumented immigrant arrested in the traffic death of an Antioch father of five was impaired by drugs and alcohol, had four prior DUI convictions and may be charged with murder, according to the Highway Patrol and the Solano County Sheriff’s Office.

Jose Pena, 26, was booked into the Solano County Jail after he was released from John Muir Medical Center, a week after the March 31 death of Kent Boone, 33, in a head-on crash on Highway 12 in Solano County.

Pena, who the CHP alleged had two pounds of crystal methamphetamine in the Ford Expedition he was driving, crossed a double-yellow line at an estimated 90 mph to pass another vehicle when he hit Boone’s Ford F-350 pickup truck.

Pena was impaired by alcohol and drugs when the crash occurred, had four prior drunken-driving convictions under an alias and a narcotics conviction, the CHP said. Officers searched his Fairfield residence and confiscated more drugs and cash.

Boone was en route to work as a pipe fitter, and his survivors were devastated. Neighbors on Rock Court in Antioch visit and cook daily for his children. Boone had two children from a previous marriage, 10-year-old twins Hope and Autumn, as did his widow Regina Sorisio — Brannon, 12, and Mackenzie, 11. Together they had a 5-year-old son, Jacob.

“I’m so thankful for our community,” said Sorisio, 31.

But his survivors also are angry about the other driver involved.

“He needs to be in prison, there’s no way they’re going to be able to deport him and keep him out of our country,” Sorisio said.

“My reaction is, I can’t believe this guy is not already in jail,” said Sorisio’s mother, Robin Sorisio. “Why wasn’t he in jail before? Why do they continue to let these guys out, and they continue to make trouble for everyone? And of course, we cannot replace Kent.”

CHP officers have sent their report to the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, which is conducting some follow-up investigation, according to CHP spokesman Marvin Williford.

Pena is being held on suspicion of drug offenses, DUI and murder, said Solano County sheriff’s spokeswoman Paula Toynbee.

The federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency also has placed a hold on Pena, records show. The hold means Pena is potentially subject to deportation and ensures that local authorities notify ICE before releasing him, said spokeswoman Virginia Kice.

The CHP also obtained a court order stipulating that bail be set at $950,000 and that drug proceeds not be used to post bail.

A trust fund has been established to benefit the family of Kent Boone at Wells Fargo Bank, 3365 Deer Valley Road, Antioch CA 94591. The account number is 9968017716.