A drunk driver who struck and killed a woman in a head-on collision on GW Parkway has been sentenced to 8 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter.
Carlos Hernandez Romero — who did not have a driver’s license and who was driving 80 mph in the wrong direction the night of Jan. 1, 2025 — admitted to aggravated DWI manslaughter, according to a press release from the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for Arlington and Falls Church.
In addition to active incarceration, a circuit court judge sentenced the 28-year-old to 5 years of probation and ordered him to participate in substance use and mental health treatment and a series of victim impact panels.
Hernandez Romero struck and killed Lyfe Gates and her dog around 11 p.m. on the southbound Parkway near Roosevelt Island and exits to I-66 and Route 50. He had cocaine in his system and a blood alcohol concentration above .20, according to the press release.
The maximum legal blood alcohol concentration for a driver in Virginia is .08. The speed limit on this portion of GW Parkway is 40 mph.
“Responding officers located two severely damaged vehicles: a pickup truck on its side, pointing North, that was missing its left front axle; and an SUV,” an affidavit said. “The driver of the pickup truck, later identified as [Hernandez Romero], was observed extracting himself from his vehicle. The driver of the SUV … was pronounced dead on scene.”
Federal authorities initially took Hernandez Romero into custody, but the case was transferred to local authorities shortly after that. He was originally charged with both DUI and DUI involuntary manslaughter, facing a maximum of 11 years of incarceration.
Gates is remembered as “a beloved mother, sister, grandmother and community leader.”
“Ms. Gates, described by her family as ‘the glue’ who held multiple generations together, was known for her generosity, leadership and unwavering care for others,” the press release says. “Her death has left a profound and ongoing void for her children, grandchildren, siblings and extended community.”
Prosecutors “emphasized that the combination of extreme intoxication, high-speed driving, and entering a one-way highway in the wrong direction made the tragedy a predictable and preventable outcome.”
“Ms. Gates’ family has remained steadfast and strong throughout the process, for which we are so grateful,” Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti said. “It is important to remember who it is the family and community has lost, and to honor them in every way we can.”
