A Canyon County judge sentenced an 18-year-old driver to up to 12 years in prison Tuesday for a fatal 2024 crash in Nampa that killed his passenger. Angel Eduardo Rico was convicted of vehicular manslaughter after losing control of his vehicle near East Amity Avenue and Diamond Street on Dec. 1, 2024.
Crash Details and Conviction
The incident occurred when Rico failed to negotiate a curve while traveling at high speed, according to vehicle data presented during the proceedings. The car struck a berm in a private yard, became airborne, and hit the chimney of one home before landing on the roof of another. Both residences sustained extensive damage, though no occupants were injured.
Rico’s passenger, 31-year-old Jose Teran Chaparro, died in the crash. Another individual was injured. Prosecutors stated that Rico had been drinking and using drugs the night before the accident. Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney Chris Boyd described the event as a senseless tragedy during the sentencing hearing.
Sentencing Arguments
Deputy Prosecutor Scott Vermeer requested a 15-year prison term with parole eligibility after seven years, emphasizing the loss of life. “A man is dead,” Vermeer said in court.
Rico’s attorney, Alex Briggs, argued for retained jurisdiction followed by probation, citing Rico’s young age at the time of the offense. Third Judicial District Judge Randall Grove denied that request, opting instead for a fixed prison term.
Impact on Canyon County Families
The crash left two homes damaged and a family grieving the loss of Chaparro. While Rico will be eligible for parole after serving three years of his 12-year sentence, the conviction stands as a reminder of the dangers of impaired driving in the Treasure Valley.
“You killed your friend,” Judge Grove told Rico during the sentencing. The ruling concludes the legal proceedings for this case, which involved the Nampa Police Department and the Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.