Santa Rosa man accepts responsibility for 2018 crash that killed friend

A Santa Rosa man pleaded no contest Friday to felony vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence of marijuana in Sonoma County Superior Court for the 2018 crash that killed one of his close friends and injured three others.

Isidro Moya, 20, of Santa Rosa was returning after a day at the Sonoma Coast with friends May 4 when he lost control of the vehicle he was driving on Valley Ford Road and crashed into an oncoming Lexus.

One of his passengers, David Etling, 18, of Petaluma, was killed in the impact and another friend was seriously injured, officials said. In the Lexus, Douglas Kaye, 70, and his passenger, Cessna Kaye, 82, had major injuries, according to the CHP.

“It was a tragic case. A lot of pain and hurt came into a lot of lives,” Moya’s attorney Kevin McConnell said. “Isidro has made a decision to accept full responsibility for this.”

At the time of the crash, Moya was arrested and released on bail. In July, prosecutors filed the felony charges against Moya as well as charges for driving without a license, possession of concentrated cannabis and a vehicle infraction for allowing the car to cross the double yellow lines.

Judge Peter Ottenweller could choose from a range of punishment options at the June 3 sentencing, from jail time with probation to a maximum 13 years and eight months in state prison, according to McConnell.

You can reach Staff Writer Julie Johnson at 707-521-5220 or julie.johnson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @jjpressdem.