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Atascadero man pleads not guilty to deadly hit-and-run

March 20, 2025

Zachary Bernal

By KAREN VELIE

A 31-year-old Atascadero man accused of driving under the influence of drugs during a hit-and-run crash that killed an 11-year-old boy pleaded not guilty on Tuesday.

Zachary Bernal is facing charges of vehicular manslaughter, narcotics possession, under the influence of a controlled substance, and hit-and-run resulting in death. He remains in custody with his bail set at $1,010,000.

Bernal is scheduled for a hearing on March 24 to discuss reducing his bail.

After school on March 14, José Gutiérrez was walking home on the 1080 block of El Camino Real when a truck drove onto the sidewalk and hit him, police said. The driver then fled the scene.

José Gutiérrez died at the scene.

On the evening of March 14, Atascadero police officers arrested Bernal.

 


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Remember, if you want to kill someone, don’t give them drugs or shoot them; you’ll spend less time in prison (if you even go to prison) if you kill them with your car. Manslaughter? Until you start calling these crimes for what they are, clearly murder, you’ll continue to see them.


10

Obviously not guilty, because the drugs made him do it. In fact, he is a straight A student, loved by everyone who knows him, star High School football and baseball player, sings lead Tenor in the church choir, and donates thousands of hours every year at the homeless shelter, took care of his dying mother, and supported his 11 crippled brothers and sisters. The epitome of societal greatness and lovi…..


….HAHAhahahaaaa! Oh! I couldn’t go on! Bless his heart!


-1

Bernal is scheduled for a hearing on March 24 to discuss reducing his bail.”


Why is this even an option? He Killed a Child! If this is even a possibility the system is completely BROKEN!!


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