Christopher Arrellin Contreras, 22, of Safford received a 14.5-year sentence Tuesday for acts he committed in relation to the death of Anthony Ornelas Peru, 25.

Peru succumbed to his injuries April 10, 2008, after being hit by a Chevy Blazer driven by Contreras. The two had been with other subjects when an altercation at the Circle K at Highway 191 and Relation Street erupted and soon progressed into fighting with weapons. Contreras and his associates were allegedly attempting to pay back Peru and his associates for breaking out the Blazer’s back window.

According to a pre-sentence report by the Probation Department, the occupants of the Blazer were being pelted with beer bottles and knives when it initially drove away from the melee on Seventh Avenue. It was the last act of defiance of Contreras to turn around and drive back through that eventually caused Peru’s death, according to the report.

Christopher Contreras leaves the courtroom after his sentencing Tuesday. Contreras was sentenced to 14-1/2 years of confinement for his actions relating to the death of Anthony Ornelas Peru. Photo by Jon Johnson

The report also states information gathered by police from the Blazer’s crash data retrieval system showed a speed around 23 to 25 mph during the event, according to Holt. A crash data retrieval system is similar to an airplane’s black box and stores information on what is happening before, during and after a collision. Holt said most newer vehicles are equipped with such devices. The Blazer’s device also showed the brake was depressed during the collision and that the airbag did not deploy.

Deputy County Attorney C. Alan Perkins read a small portion of the report to the court.

“Were it not for a belief on the part of the defendant and likely some degree on the part of the victim that they must resolve their conflict without appearing weak or that the proper response to disrespect is violence, this tragedy may have been avoided,” Perkins read. “This opinion in no way reflects the responsibility of the defendant in this case. His negligent act recklessly caused the death of the victim.”

Contreras previously pleaded guilty in November to three felony counts: manslaughter, leaving the scene of a fatal accident and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The plea agreement stipulated Contreras serve between 10 to 15 years in prison with the specific amount to be determined by the sentencing judge.

Holt sentenced Contreras to 10-1/2 years for manslaughter and a concurrent term of 3-1/2 years for aggravated assault. Concurrent terms are served at the same time. Holt continued to sentence Contreras to a consecutive term of four years, however, for leaving the scene of a fatal accident. That adds up to a total of 14.5 years in prison, but Contreras was given credit for 271 days already served and is eligible for early release benefits of one day off for every seven served with good behavior. That means Contreras could leave prison in less than 12 years from now at about the time of his 34th birthday.

The courthouse was packed full of relatives for the prosecution and defense, who wept intermittently during the hearing. Contreras addressed the court and spoke of his remorse for taking Peru’s life.

“No amount of time will erase the nightmares and my deep sense of sorrow to have had any part in this senseless loss of life,” he said.

Members of the prosecution, defense and the court stated they hope this case will serve as a warning to other young men in the community that they only cause more tragedy and despair when they attempt to solve their differences with violence.