Oliver Luis Roman, 19, of Powder Springs
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. - A Cherokee County teenager has been sentenced to 20 years, with the first 12 months to serve in jail, after pleading guilty to a January crash that killed two people and seriously injured two others.
What we know:
Oliver Luis Roman, 19, of Powder Springs, entered a non-negotiated guilty plea to two counts of first-degree homicide by vehicle, three counts of serious injury by vehicle, and one count of reckless driving.
The District Attorney recommended a sentence of 20 years with 10 to serve in custody. The defense asked for probation only. Chief Superior Court Judge David L. Cannon Jr. imposed a sentence of 20 years, with the first 12 months in the Cherokee County adult detention center.
As part of the sentence, Roman must complete 240 hours of community service, pay restitution, and surrender his driver’s license. He can not have contact with the victims or their families.
The backstory:
The single-vehicle crash happened around 8:15 p.m. on Jan. 9, 2024 along Towne Lake Parkway near Towne Lake Hills East.
The crash killed Esteban Cortez-Rendon, 18, of Woodstock, and Gabriel Escandon, 17, of Marietta. Christopher Martins Peixoto, 17, of Marietta, and Alejandro Trejo, 18, visiting from Oklahoma, were seriously injured. Peixoto spent 42 days in the ICU.
The group had just left Cortez-Rendon’s home after celebrating his 18th birthday with his parents.
Investigators said crash data showed Roman’s car was traveling 93 mph just seconds before impact. Cell phone video taken by a passenger also captured Roman weaving through traffic at high speeds. Witnesses confirmed the reckless driving.
Dig deeper:
In a non-negotiated plea, the defendant admits guilt, and both the state and defense present their sentencing recommendations before a judge decides the punishment.
The Source: Information in this article came from the Cherokee County District Attorney's Office.