SAN DIEGO – A motorist who was on probation for drunken driving when he drove through a stop sign in Pacific Beach and killed a cabbie earlier this year is scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday.
Anthony Valanos, 26, pleaded guilty Aug. 30 to vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and admitted a hit-and-run allegation.

Superior Court Judge Michael Wellington could sentence the defendant to between seven and 11 years in state prison.
Valanos, a former University of San Diego football player, was on probation for a 2003 drunken driving conviction when he ran through the stop sign at Thomas Avenue and Haines Street about 12:45 a.m. on March 25, killing Zeki Mohammed Tovi.

Deputy District Attorney Sophia Roach said Valanos would have faced less time in custody had he not fled the crash scene.

Valanos pleaded guilty to non-alcohol-related vehicular manslaughter and a hit-and-run allegation that he personally inflicted great bodily injury on the victim.

As a result of the plea – which came on the third day of a preliminary hearing – charges of second-degree murder, driving under the influence and filing a false police report were dismissed.

Adam Combs testified that he, Valanos and other friends had about seven to eight drinks at a bar, including whiskey, beer and shots of liqueur, before leaving sometime after 12:30 a.m.

The judge noted at the time of the plea that even though Valanos did not admit an alcohol-related charge, there was plenty of evidence presented at the preliminary hearing to suggest he was impaired while driving on the night of the accident.
 
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20061025-0238-sentencing.html