Man Pleads No Contest in Fatal Bakersfield Crash
Gustavo Montoya agrees to testify against his co-defendant in a 2023 pursuit that killed two sisters.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Sex Crimes
Gustavo Montoya pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence for his role in a fatal 2023 crash. Montoya has agreed to testify against co-defendant Tevin Brandt, who faces two counts of second-degree murder.
Why it matters
The legal proceedings stem from a pursuit involving a search for a lost cellphone that resulted in the deaths of Karime and Jennifer Duarte. The trial aims to hold the defendants accountable for the fatal consequences of the chase.
Gustavo Montoya is scheduled for sentencing on December 16, 2026, after accepting his plea deal. Tevin Brandt faces two counts of second-degree murder, with his trial projected to last 20 days.
The players
Gustavo Montoya
The defendant entered a no-contest plea for vehicular manslaughter after being involved in the fatal pursuit.
Tevin Brandt
The co-defendant faces two counts of second-degree murder and is the subject of an upcoming 20-day trial.
Karime Duarte
The 21-year-old victim was killed during the pursuit while delivering newspapers.
Jennifer Duarte
The 15-year-old sister of Karime was killed in the crash.
Diana Ponce
The 23-year-old survivor suffered serious injuries during the incident.
The details
Montoya and Brandt tracked a lost phone to the location of the sisters, who were delivering newspapers before they were chased to the end of McKee Road. The sisters drove onto Highway 99, where their vehicle was struck by a pickup truck, resulting in the deaths of the sisters and serious injuries to passenger Diana Ponce.
Timeline
The fatal crash occurred in south Bakersfield on March 4, 2023.
Gustavo Montoya accepted his plea deal in court on October 27, 2026.
Montoya is scheduled for sentencing on December 16, 2026.
Legal Context
This case follows established legal patterns for vehicular manslaughter prosecutions in California, where plea agreements are frequently used to secure testimony for more serious murder charges. Such arrangements remain a common mechanism for navigating complex criminal liability in multi-defendant cases.
Residents in south Bakersfield may see a heightened police or court presence during the 20-day trial of Tevin Brandt. The case serves as a grim reminder of safety risks associated with roadside disputes and vehicular pursuits.
The takeaway
This incident underscores the extreme danger posed by pursuing others over personal property disputes. Drivers are urged to prioritize safety and contact local law enforcement rather than attempting to confront individuals themselves.
Further reading
For more information on legal developments in the region, visit the Bakersfield Sex Crimes section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KGET 17.
