Navy Sailor who drove drunk and fatally struck retired couple sentenced to 11 years behind bars

VISTA - A Navy sailor who drove drunk and fatally struck a couple in their late 70s as they were taking their daily walk north of Valley Center was sentenced today to 11 years in prison.

Earl Decarlos Smith Jr., 21, pleaded guilty in October to gross vehicular manslaughter.

He was driving east on Old Castle Road about 6:15 a.m. July 7 when his 2011 Toyota Corolla drifted to the right and struck the retired schoolteachers as they walked with their backs to traffic near Mauka Drive, according to the California Highway Patrol. Both victims died at the scene.

Neighbors said the victims -- 79-year-...