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Atascadero man sentenced to seven years for deadly hit-and-run

June 26, 2025

Zachary Bernal

By KAREN VELIE

A 31-year-old Atascadero man was sentenced to seven years in prison on Wednesday for a hit-and-run crash that killed an 11-year-old boy in March.

Zachary Bernal pleaded to charges of vehicular manslaughter, narcotics possession, and hit-and-run resulting in death. Bernal cried as he spoke of his quilt and shame. He said he would trade places with José Gutiérrez if he could.

After school on March 14, Gutiérrez was walking home on the 1080 block of El Camino Real when a truck drove onto the sidewalk and hit him, police said. Before he was struck and killed, Gutiérrez warned two of his friends to get out of the way.

Bernal then fled the scene.

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

 


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My friend Jim Hammer Hayes was run over by a Speeding women on his Motorcycle on 101 who committed multiple other felonys over a course of a year after running away and hiding. Six years for that case.

Either way, it’s the Law or the Prosecutor who are getting these unfair sentences metted out.

Something needs to change and I don’t blame Dan Dow.


7

Flip the script, Hispanic man under the influence of a schedule 1 narcotic hits and kills white boy.


Add a 0 on to the end of that sentence.


-23

Absolutely disgusting, what a slap in the face to the family.


20

I expected better from the DA. So mowing down an 11 year old is worth 7 years, do better.


15

The DA brought charges. The Grand Jury brought charges. The prosecutor argued for these charges. The defense said we’ll plead guilty for a lighter sentence.


The Judge said “…meh”.


1

Embezzlers, pot dealers and thieves get longer sentences and they didn’t kill anyone. Little José and other victims of drunken idiots deserve justice. Laws need to change.


9

He will be out in 4 years for good behavior! As I recalled he fled scene.

This sentence seems unfair to me.

The child lost his life, again this seems unfair!


57

Seven years is an insult to that family and anyone with one!


8