Repeat drunk driver pleads guilty

SANTA FE (KRQE) - The man who drove drunk last year, killing two sisters, pled guilty Thursday and was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

James Ruiz pleaded guilty to several charges including vehicular homicide.

In March of 2010 Ruiz got into his car after drinking at a Santa Fe bar with friends. Police say Ruiz caused a five car crash that killed sisters Deshauna, 17, and Del Peshlakai, 19.

This was Ruiz's fifth D.W.I. arrest.  He admitted in court Thursday that he was convicted of three previous D.W.I.s and was awaiting trial for the fourth.  

The Peshlakai family was not in court Thursday, but the Santa Fe District Attorneys office says they were actively involved in working out this deal.

"They are supportive of the plea, there were specific parts of it that they wanted. The guaranteed sentence, was important the long tail at the end was important to them but they are supportive of the plea and the amount of time and so forth," said Chief Deputy D.A. Doug Couleur.

The Peshlakai family told me they are glad an acknowledgement has been made on Ruiz's part, but added nothing is ever going to bring their babies back.

According to the State Health Department Ruiz’s blood alcohol content was at .22 at the time of the accident, nearly three times the legal limit.