Lopez-Maciel sentenced to 41 months for hit-and-run fatality

WENATCHEE – A young Bridgeport man charged with the hit-and-run death of Brewster resident, Gary Knowlton last July was handed a 41-month prison term at a sentencing hearing in Chelan County Superior Court last Thursday, June 1.

Jovany Lopez-Maciel, 22, received the maximum available term from Superior Court Judge Lesley Allan under the standard sentencing range. Maciel will receive credit for time served since his incarceration last September when he surrendered to authorities.

Sources at the Chelan County Prosecutor’s Office said that Maciel has been remanded to a detention facility in Monroe for further processing and determination as to where he will serve out his sentence. Under current sentencing guidelines, Maciel may later be eligible for parole or a reduced sentence.

A restitution hearing for Maciel has also been scheduled for August 23.

Maciel pleaded guilty in the hit-and-run accident that took the life of Brewster teacher, Gary Knowlton. Knowlton, 50, was also a part-time lifeguard for the Manson Parks and Recreation Department and was riding his bicycle on Apple Acres Road north of the Lake Chelan Airport when the accident occurred on the evening of July 16, 2016.

Maciel fled the scene of the accident. Maciel’s abandoned pickup was later discovered in an orchard and his involvement in the fatality was determined.

After two months in hiding, Maciel surrendered to authorities on Sept. 15, 2016. Maciel was charged with vehicular homicide and hit and run. He later pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree vehicular manslaughter.