Repeat drunk driver admitting guilt, but does not believe he committed murder

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A repeat drunk driver is hoping an admission of guilt saves him from a murder conviction. Fifty-two-year-old Luis Moreno is admitting to just about everything prosecutors say about him.

Moreno is fighting to ever again live a life outside of prison because of alcohol. Three years ago, he got an early start to his drinking and had an argument with his girlfriend.

"He continued to drink most of the day. He drank some Tecate beers and other alcohol," said Sally Moreno, prosecutor.

At some point, he decided to leave his Kerman home for a 45-mile trip to Table Mountain. He made it 39 miles before drifting into oncoming traffic and smashing into a car killing the passenger, Blia Vang. Investigators said he had a blood-alcohol content of at least .15 and he doesn't deny any of it.

"Mr. Moreno, he's not here claiming he did nothing wrong. Quite the opposite, Mr. Moreno is responsible for Ms. Vang's death," said Scott Kinney, Moreno's Defense Attorney.

Moreno is denying he committed murder and prosecutors admit he never intended to kill Vang or anyone else. They do say history should've taught him it was a possibility, though.

Even before the deadly 2013 collision, Moreno had five convictions for drunk driving, including one in which he crashed into another car. On the last conviction, he signed a so-called Watson Advisement acknowledging that driving drunk is extremely dangerous to human life.

"And he said that he understood that if he continued to drive under the influence of alcohol, and someone was killed as a result, he could be charged with second-degree murder," said Sally.

Three years later, Moreno gambled on a drunken trip to the casino and killed Vang on the way there.

His trial is expected to last about a week and he is expected to testify in his own defense. He faces life in prison if he's convicted of murder.