Rohnert Park man sentenced in brother’s 2013 crash death

A Rohnert Park man who crashed his SUV, killing one of his two brothers hanging on to the luggage rack, has been sentenced to four years in prison.

Emmanuel Sanchez-Martinez, 27, received the punishment Monday in the July 28, 2013, crash that killed Edgar Sanchez-Martinez, 26, and injured another brother, Jose Sanchez, 29.

The crash happened after Emmanuel Sanchez-Martinez drove off from a family dispute in a Chevy Tahoe, prosecutors said.

His two brothers jumped onto the vehicle’s running boards in an attempt to stop him from leaving.

Sanchez-Martinez continued to drive, reaching speeds up to 71 mph, as they yelled at him to stop.

He finally crashed into a cinder block wall, instantly killing his younger brother. His older brother was thrown 50 feet and suffered minor injuries.

The driver fled and remained at large for more than a year. Police arrested him in August after receiving an anonymous tip on his whereabouts.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ppayne.