FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — “Justice for Pam & Joe” has been a message across the North Valley for four and a half years, coming to an end on Monday as the man who killed the couple was sentenced.
“We finally got a little bit of justice and closure today. It’s been a long time,” the couple’s daughter, Gabriela Juarez, stated.
Family and friends of Pam & Joe Juarez have been in mourning and fighting for justice since June of 2021, when then 20-year-old King Vanga slammed into the back of the couple’s car and took their lives.
“I never could’ve imagined losing my parents in this way. I always imagined that they’d grow old,” the couple’s son, Sergio Juarez, said through tears. “This has been so heartbreaking because we didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye.”
Authorities say Vanga was going between 130-150 mph when he hit the couple’s car in Atwater, killing them just minutes away from their son’s home.
“June 25, 2021, was the worst night of my life,” the couple’s son, Javier Juarez, said to the court.
Tears and sniffles took over a Merced County courtroom Monday as the close-knit Juarez family remembered the couple who had been married for 38 years.
“My parents had so much life to live, so many more memories to be made and they looked forward to meeting my then unborn son who just turned four years old,” Javier said in tears.
Vanga sat in a suit, taking notes, using a cane to get up and address the family of his victims.
“I am truly very, very sorry for my driving that night that resulted in the tragic deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Juarez,” Vanga said to the Juarez family.
While Vanga took full responsibility, the judge pointed to Vanga’s actions after the crash, including a defamation lawsuit against the victims’ family, which he lost.
“These statements and decisions made by the defendant illustrate a lack of early acceptance of responsibility,” Merced County Superior Court Judge Brian McCabe explained.
Vanga was then sentenced to 5 years and 4 months behind bars and taken into custody.
The Juarez family finally feels they got justice for Pam and Joe.
The family is grateful to finally feel closure on this years-long case.
However, they say Vanga is still actively pursuing a civil suit against some of them for statements they made after the crash.
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