Plea of No Contest Given in Boy’s Death

A Los Angeles man pleaded no contest Friday to charges of auto theft and gross vehicular manslaughter in the death of a 7-month-old Oxnard boy.

Oswaldo Antonio Pacheco, 29, also admitted to various allegations in connection with the incident. He faces up to 14 years in state prison.

Prosecutors said they will seek the maximum prison sentence when Pacheco, who has two prior convictions for auto theft, is sentenced Feb. 25.

Pacheco was arrested Dec. 21 after driving a 1996 Infinity north in the southbound lane of Rice Avenue and hitting a car head-on, authorities said.

Henry Valdez sustained critical head injuries and died the next day. His mother, Maria Elena Gutierrez Lopez, 26, suffered internal injuries and was admitted to St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard. Two siblings, Jasmine Valdez, 9, and Mariah Valdez, 2, were also injured.

The accident occurred about 7:40 p.m., just after the Infinity had been stolen, Oxnard police said. Tests later revealed that Pacheco’s blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit for driving.

The baby’s family was not present in Ventura County Superior Court on Friday when Pacheco entered his plea. Deputy Dist. Atty. Bill Redmond said the mother and children are still recovering from the crash.