6/27/2013 – OKC, OK — A man who fatally ran over an Oklahoma City woman and then fled the scene had his final day in court yesterday and was sentenced to prison.
As previously reported by JohnTV, Salvador Lopez, 30, was arrested in Aug. of last year after he left a local bar and then struck and killed Rusti Bates, 27, the mother of three. (no relation to JohnTV’s Brian Bates)
According to court documents, Bates was in the area of SE 29th and Lee (map) when she crossed the street and was killed.
Bates was known to prostitute along South Robinson Ave. and was reportedly fighting with her pimp/boyfriend when she was killed.
Lopez, who had been drinking, fled the scene and abandoned his vehicle a few blocks away.
It was disclosed in court that Lopez went to his boss’s home and hid there.
His boss’s wife overheard Lopez saying he thought he killed someone and was planning to flee to Mexico. The wife then called police.
Lopez is illegal and has no driver’s license or insurance. Lopez is married and has three children – all of which are legal US citizens.
Salvador Lopez, 30, was arrested for Bates’ death.
Lopez was formally charged with felony leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, driving without a license, unlawful transportation of an open container and no auto insurance.
The state asked that Lopez be sentenced to five-years in prison and five-years of probation and forbidden to return to the US.
Lopez’s defense lawyer argued that Lopez should only receive time-served (9-months) and be given probation.
If Lopez would have been arrested at the scene and found to be legally intoxicated, he would have been charged with manslaughter and faced far more time in prison.
Bates’ family were present at the sentencing and had a prepared statement read in open court.
The statement detailed Bates’ life and her death and the fact No Boundaries Int’l came forward to make sure Bates was given a proper funeral.
A photo of Bates was also shown in open court. Judge Deason took the time to acknowledge the photo and expressed frustration when he said to the Bates’ family, “I know you want justice, but justice is elusive.”
In the end Judge Deason sentenced Lopez to eight year in prison.
Lopez will most-likely be deported upon release from prison.
Lopez’s conviction does not require him to serve at least 85% of his sentence. With time-served Lopez could be released within just a couple of years.
Below is an 12-minute video by No Boundaries International that features video of Rusti Bates and excerpts from her diary.