This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

A man was sentenced to prison for up to five years Friday for causing the death of a bicyclist in Kearns a year ago.

Joseph Thomas Sanchez, 54, of Kearns, pleaded guilty in February to a reduced third-degree count of negligently operating a vehicle and causing the death of 57-year-old Connie Stewart Marconato.

Sanchez was originally charged with driving under the influence of a controlled substance and causing death, a second-degree felony, and one count of driving on a denied license, a class C misdemeanor, which was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

During the sentencing, 3rd District Judge Katie Bernards-Goodman gave Sanchez credit for 100 days already served before sending him to the Utah State Prison.

At about 9 p.m. on April 10, 2016, Sanchez failed to yield to Marconato, who was crossing the street at the intersection of 5415 South and Northwest Avenue (4725 West), charges state. Marconato died from her injuries.

Sanchez admitted to police that he had consumed marijuana, charges state, and a blood sample taken from him about two and a half hours after the crash tested positive for marijuana and methamphetamine. Police also discovered Sanchez's license had beenß denied, charges say.

Court records show that Sanchez previously has been convicted of three felonies and four misdemeanors, the majority of which are associated with drugs.

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