NBC 4 Los Angeles reports that a tragic Anaheim car accident that led to the death of a pregnant woman has resulted in felony charges against a local driver, including murder.
Around 7:30 pm last Tuesday, a 23-year-old woman and her husband were walking down Katella Avenue near Bayless Street when a Jeep driven by a 40-year-old woman struck her on the sidewalk. The Jeep continued down the street until it became disabled. The husband reportedly tried to grab the victim and pull her out of the way but couldn’t save her.
The victim was transported to a local hospital, where her baby was delivered by emergency c-section. While the victim, a Disneyland cast member, succumbed to her injuries, the baby is reportedly in good health and has been taken off a respirator, although still hospitalized.
According to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the suspect has been arrested and convicted of DUI three times, in 2008, 2015, and 2016, and had a suspended license at the time of the accident. She has been charged with second degree murder under the terms of the Watson advisement; she was warned after previous DUI convictions that a death in a future DUI-related accident would lead to murder charges and thus prosecutors can pursue second degree murder instead of vehicular manslaughter charges. She also faces felony DUI and other related charges. The suspect faces life in prison if convicted.
