Man sentenced to prison for DWI crash that killed 10-year-old girl

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A judge sentenced a man who pleaded guilty to stealing and crashing a state government vehicle last year, killing a 10-year-old girl.

Bearden stole the vehicle from Expo New Mexico. Shortly after that, while addicted to drugs, he ran a stop sign and crashed into another vehicle.

In the other vehicle were 10-year-old Penny Pizarro and her father David. Penny died three weeks after the accident. His father suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Bearden took a plea deal in August and faced up to 27 years in prison at sentencing Thursday. Ultimately, Judge Jennifer Wernersbach sentenced him to 22 years in prison and five years of supervised release.

“I hope this is a productive period for you. I think you’re in a good position to make this a productive time. And it is true that, in addition to honoring Penny’s legacy, this will help you move forward in this life and rejoin society as a safe person,” Judge Wernersbach said.

Bearden pleaded guilty to charges of DWI vehicular homicide, DWI vehicular infliction of great bodily harm, knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in great bodily harm or death, and stealing a vehicle.

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