Man who killed New Brighton couple in drunken crash gets over 6 years

A man who killed a New Brighton couple in a drunken driving crash has been sentenced to over six years (82 months) in prison.

Luis Tipantua, 33, pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal vehicular homicide — driving in a grossly negligent manner. As part of a plea deal, two counts of criminal vehicular homicide under the influence of alcohol were dismissed. Tipantua was given credit for 662 days already served.

RELATED: Man charged with 4 counts of criminal vehicular homicide for deaths of New Brighton couple 

The crash occurred on Interstate 694 in Arden Hills in February 2024. Court documents state a Chevrolet Equinox, driven by Tipantua, swerved into the left shoulder and then overcorrected. The vehicle spun out and hit a Chevy Malibu, causing the Malibu to go sideways into the left lane, where it was hit by a semi.

76-year-old Curtis O’Connor and 74-year-old Karin O’Connor were killed in the crash.

RELATED: Friends, neighbors stunned by loss of New Brighton couple killed in crash with suspected drunk driver

Officers found open bottles of alcohol in the Equinox. A breath test showed Tipantuna Quinchiguano had a BAC of .218 “on a very weak puff of breath,” and paramedics said he was so intoxicated that he would need hospitalization.

His BAC later came back as .197.

Witnesses told investigators that Tipantua was frequently changing lanes without using his turn signal and was weaving in and out of traffic before the crash. His erratic driving was also seen on surveillance video.
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