Nemias Garcia-Velasco, the driver of the fatal van accident at the I-80 on-ramp to I-680 on July 5, was charged with motor vehicle homicide and had his bond set at $2 million Tuesday morning.
Prosecutors say the 33-year-old's BAC was three times the legal limit when he crossed three lanes of traffic, hit a guard rail, hit a bridge abatement and rolled before the vehicle burst into flames.
The passenger in the front, 16-year-old Jesus Gonzalez, escaped the burning vehicle with Garcia-Velasco, who suffered burns on his body, but 58-year-old Silvano Torres died.
Garcia-Velasco is an illegal immigrant who has had five prior voluntary removals from the state and also been deported twice.
His preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 2. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
