ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – An Albuquerque driver who killed two passengers in a high-speed crash has been sentenced to 30 years in prison. Benjamin Guiang, 22, was charged with two counts of homicide by vehicle driving under the influence in April 2024 after he crashed at a high rate of speed near Unser Boulevard and Western Boulevard during a street race. Police said Guiang’s two passengers, his cousin and her boyfriend, were ejected from the vehicle and died on the scene. Guiang also admitted to smoking cannabis earlier in the day before the crash.
Albuquerque teen sentenced for role in 2023 murder
Judge Britt Baca said she considered the victims’ families’ wishes when including the possibility of probation with Guiang’s sentence. “I do think every life has value. That includes your own, that includes your cousin, and that includes her boyfriend. But I think that it sounds like all of the family of all the individuals are in agreement on either allowing me to make this decision or allowing you to make restitution spiritually and somewhat sentimentally to them by your own good deeds in the future,” said Judge Baca.
Guiang will be on house arrest with an ankle monitor for one year, followed by five years of probation. If he violates probation, he could face up to 29 years in prison…