COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A Lexington man has been convicted and sentenced to 12 years in prison for the death of a woman after a deadly DUI death in 2023.

31-year-old Jose Manuel Ramirez was convicted of Felony Driving Under the Influence, Death Results; Hit and run, duties of a driver involved in an accident with death; and Reckless Vehicular Homicide.

According to evidence presented in the trial in September 2023, 24-year-old Marbel Lopez tried to stop Ramirez from driving drunk while he entered his vehicle to leave a child’s birthday party near Gilbert.

Prosecutors said while attempting to leave, Ramirez sped out of the yard with Marbel hanging onto the side of the vehicle. As Ramirez exited an open gate, Marbel was thrown from the vehicle and hit a fence.

“Marbel Lopez tried to do th

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