A woman that caused a DUI fueled crash that killed her five year-old daughter, and a playmate of her daughter's, has pleaded guilty and will face up to a 12-year prison sentence, as reported by CBS 8 from San Diego.
Chula Vista resident A.H., 22, drove her minivan into the Otay Reservoir on August 5, 2005. A.H. survived the crash along with E.F., the father of the other child that perished.
A.H. entered a guilty plea to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and DUI on March 28. Additionally, she admitted that her actions resulted in great bodily injury to the victims. Her sentencing will take place in the South Bay Courthouse on May 31.
According to CHP Officer O.M., just after 6 p.m. A.H. piloted her vehicle down an embankment near Wueste Road. The vehicle then rolled over and landed on its roof in the water before sinking. While A.H. and E.F., occupants of the front seats, were able to free themselves and escape their children were trapped in the vehicle.
With the help of nearby residents and Border Patrol agents, the children were eventually extricated and airlifted to Rady Children's hospital. They were both pronounced dead at Rady.
A.H. and E.F. had met only months earlier, according to CHP Officer B.C., and their daughters had become playmates. At the time of the crash, the two adults had arranged for that day's play date.
The four met up at a grocery store, where E.F. had purchased a six-pack of beer, and they drove to a local park. Both adults admitted to drinking three cans of beer each during several hours at the park.
A.H., noticing some skydivers, made the decision to drive the party over to another area for a better look.
During the drive E.F. was blindfolded – allegedly seeing the skydivers in action was going to be a "surprise" for him. Instead, he realized something had gone wrong when he heard screaming, and A.H. had lost control of the vehicle.
The two adults did their best to rescue their children, however, due to the car sinking they were unable to do so.
CHP officers noted the odor of alcohol on both A.H. and E.F.. After being arrested, A.H.'s blood alcohol level registered at 0.13 percent.
Once in CHP headquarters A.H. admitted to the officers that she had purchased a 12-pack of beer that day.
A.H. claimed that, while driving with one hand, she saw a rock in the road ahead of her and swerved to avoid it – which caused her vehicle to drive off the road. However, Officer B.C. inspected the roadway and found no trace of tire marks or gouges to prove that her vehicle had suddenly swerved.
In November of 2011 A.H. was charged with a hit-and-run. In that incident two people were injured. Deputy District Attorney Mary Loeb said those charges were dismissed as part of A.H.'s plea agreement.
Charges of DUI, DWI, OUI or OWI do not have to result in loss of driving privileges, restitution and jail time. Contact a DUI attorney for help with your case right away!