EL CAJON - An El Cajon man who was drunk when he caused a crash on state Route 78 near Ramona that killed two men and injured a woman was cleared Friday of murder charges but convicted on two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter.
Shannon Shimp was also found guilty of DUI causing injury; driving with a blood-alcohol level of .08 percent or more and causing injury.
Each charge was attached with allegations he personally inflicted great bodily injury, and caused death or injury to three or more victims.
A passenger in Shimp's truck, Joseph Edwards, 52, and Ian Kinney, 19, who was driving a Lexus, died in the crash. Kinney's girlfriend was injured.
A test nearly two hours after the collision found that Shimp had a blood-alcohol level of .19 percent, which is more than twice the legal limit.
Witnesses testified that Shimp was driving eastbound when he tried to pass several vehicles, but lost control and skidded into the Lexus, which was pinned underneath the pickup.
Edwards, of Ramona, and Kinney, of Julian, both died at the scene.
Kinney's passenger, Tessa Medearis of Vista, had to be cut from the sedan and was hospitalized. Shimp suffered only minor injuries.
Deputy District Attorney Monte Bennett said the defendant faces about 17 years in prison when sentenced by Judge Herbert Exarhos on Jan 8.
