Lexington, SC – A Lexington County man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison following a deadly DUI crash that claimed the life of a 24-year-old man in Gilbert, South Carolina.
According to the 11th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, 31-year-old Jose Manuel Ramirez was convicted by a Lexington County jury of felony DUI involving death, hit-and-run involving death, and reckless vehicular homicide. Circuit Court Judge Charles J. McCutchen handed down the sentence on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
Prosecutors said the crash occurred on September 2, 2023, when Ramirez, who was intoxicated, attempted to leave a residence after an argument during a child’s birthday party. The victim, Marbel Lopez, tried to stop him from driving away. Lopez was thrown from the vehicle and fatally injured when Ramirez sped off, striking other objects before fleeing the scene.
Lopez was taken to Prisma Health Richland with severe brain trauma and later died on September 14, 2023. Officials noted that Lopez was an organ donor and helped save lives even after his death.
Authorities reported Ramirez’s blood alcohol concentration measured 0.18, more than twice South Carolina’s legal limit. Ramirez allegedly admitted to consuming at least eight shots of alcohol before the crash.
Senior Assistant Solicitor Todd Wagoner emphasized that Lopez “tried to do the right thing” and urged the community to make safer choices, stating: “Driving while impaired is a conscious decision. If you are going to drink, plan ahead.”
Ramirez, whose record includes prior convictions for drug possession, trespassing, and speeding, has been transferred to the South Carolina Department of Corrections to serve his sentence.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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