State Prison Sentence for 2019 Motorcycle Deaths

Today in Department 17 of the Tulare County Superior Court, South County Justice Center, the court sentenced Jazmin Paramo, age 27, to 30 years in prison for a 2019 DUI crash that took the lives of four motorcyclists.

Around 2 am on August 4, 2019, Paramo’s vehicle was seen swerving going northbound on Highway 65 while in the southbound lanes. At the intersection of Avenue 196, she collided head on with two motorcycles carrying the four victims – the married couples of Gilbert Vargas and Mitzi Rodriguez, and of Jose Vargas and Rita Vargas. Three victims were declared deceased at the scene. The fourth victim succumbed to her injuries at a nearby hospital. Law enforcement found Paramo in the front seat of her vehicle. Paramo’s BAC was .09%. Additionally, toxicology reports showed the presence of marijuana in her system.

On February 28, 2023, Paramo pleaded no contest to four felony counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, one felony of count assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury, and one count of driving with a suspended license (for failure to appear for traffic violations).

Paramo does not possess any prior criminal convictions.

The case was prosecuted by SDDA Noell Niayesh and was investigated by the California Highway Patrol.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Chief Deputy District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494