Admissions vacate two traffic death trials

A May 3 trial was vacated after a Lake Tahoe man admitted to driving under the influence causing death and reckless driving causing substantial bodily harm in connection with a March 7, 2021, collision on Highway 50 at Lake Tahoe.

Alfred James Villalobos, 29, faces an aggregate of 3-26 years in prison should he be sentenced to serve the two counts consecutively.

Villalobos admitted he struck a Toyota Tacoma from behind on Highway 50.

Villalobos had a .154 blood alcohol content, according to court documents.

Carson City resident Rafael Cortez was killed in the collision and his niece was severely injured with a fractured neck and chest.

• A May 2 trial was cancelled after a California man entered a plea to reckless driving causing death.

Gregory Charles Bettis Sr., 50, denied being the driver in a June 27, 2021, rollover collision.

Under the agreement he faces 1-6 years in prison, though prosecutors won’t oppose probation. A charge of driving under the influence causing death was dropped in the case.

Reno resident Katelyn Shobert, 34, was ejected and killed when the driver lost control of a southbound Mazda CX-9 on Highway 88 just south of Minden driving it into a field.

• A Dayton man admitted a count of driving under the influence causing substantial bodily harm on Tuesday in connection with a June 18, 2022, collision at Presbyterian Curve on Highway 50 at Lake Tahoe.

Anthony Angel Llamas, 22, had a .11 blood alcohol content when he crossed the center line in a 2015 BMW, hitting a Toyota Rav 4 head on, injuring three people.

Under an agreement, prosecutors will recommend a sentence of 2-5 years and a fine of $2,000-$5,000. The maximum sentence is 2-20 years.

He is being supervised by the Department of Alternative Sentencing between now and his June 6 sentencing in Douglas County District Court.