A woman in Southern California has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for a fatal crash that took the life of a 23-year-old pregnant woman and left her baby in critical condition. The defendant, with a history of DUI convictions, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder earlier this year.
The tragic incident occurred in August 2020 in Anaheim when the defendant, under the influence of a drug cocktail that included cocaine and methamphetamine, drove her Jeep SUV onto a sidewalk, striking the pregnant victim. The victim, Yesenia Aguilar, tragically lost her life in the crash, but her baby girl, Adalyn Rose, was surgically delivered and survived. Adalyn Rose is now 3 years old.
The defendant had prior DUI convictions in 2008, 2015, and 2016, and had been warned about the consequences of driving under the influence. Despite this warning, she continued to drive under the influence, leading to the fatal crash in 2020. Additionally, the defendant admitted to driving under the influence of a drug combination in November 2019 and was found to be in possession of illegal drugs while in jail awaiting trial.
Following the sentencing, the victim's husband, James Alvarez, expressed his grief and determination to seek justice for victims of drunk driving accidents. Holding his daughter, Adalyn Rose, he reflected on his wife's final thoughts being about their child. Alvarez emphasized the importance of fighting for those who have lost loved ones in tragic accidents caused by drunk drivers.