The couple whose pyrotechnics during a gender reveal party sparked what became known as the massive El Dorado fire in San Bernardino County in 2020 were sentenced Friday after reaching a deal with prosecutors.
The couple inadvertently started the 22,000-acre fire on a scorching day in a Yucaipa park with a device that was supposed to emit blue or pink smoke, authorities said. The fire killed U.S. Forest Service wildland firefighter Charles Morton, injured two more firefighters and 13 other people, destroyed five homes and forced hundreds of people to evacuate.
Refugio Manuel Jimenez Jr. was sentenced to one year in county jail, two years of felony probation and community service after pleading guilty to one felony count of involuntary manslaughter in Morton's death and two felony counts of reckless provoking. a fire in an inhabited structure, according to the San Bernardino County district attorney's office.
Angelina Jimenez pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors for recklessly setting a fire on another person's property and was sentenced to one year of summary probation and community service, prosecutors said.
The Jiménezes were also ordered to pay restitution to the victims in the amount of $1,789,972.
“Settling the case would never be a victory,” the San Bernardino County District said. Lawyer. Jason Anderson in a statement.
“For the victims who lost so much, including their homes with valuables and memories, we understand that these are intangible assets that can never be replaced,” Anderson said. “Our hope with this resolution is that it closes a painful chapter in their lives, and restitution provides some help in making them whole again.”
