The Los Angeles Times reports that on Wednesday, a 39-year-old woman was sentenced to five years in prison after she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for her role in a crash that killed a 23-year-old man in Costa Mesa five years ago.
In an Orange County Superior Courtroom, Kimberly Renee Martin stood before Judge Sheila Hanson and admitted to the charges against her.
On Tuesday, May 1, Martin, driving a Volkswagen SUV, blew through a red light at approximately 70 miles per hour at Santa Ana Avenue and Mesa Drive intersection when she collided with a Honda driven by a male student from Tustin.
Despite all life-saving efforts by paramedics, the victim died at the crash scene.
Costa Mesa Police officers arrested Martin on suspicion of DUI-murder. A toxicology report would later reveal that Martin had a blood-alcohol level of .16 percent – twice the legal limit of .08 percent.
“If I could change anything, I would change everything,” Martin sobbed.
The victim’s mother told the defendant she was “grateful to the Lord because you have taken responsibility for your actions. I am committed to pray for you and your family so that you can find peace and mercy.”
Judge Hanson acknowledged the pain of the victim’s family and that they had lost someone important. She then added, “Look behind you. I see so many in pain.”
Martin’s attorney told the court that she had been working as a dog trainer and had earned numerous certificates while in custody through several other programs while in custody.
While the sentence for second-degree murder in California on average is 15 years to life, Martin was given 1,864 days credit for time already served behind bars.
