Driver sentenced to 15 years to life for DUI crash that killed 23-year-old pregnant woman in OC
"There is not a day that goes by where I do not think about what I did," said Courtney Fritz Pandolfi during her sentencing.
SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- A Garden Grove woman who pleaded guilty to driving impaired and fatally striking a 23-year-old pregnant woman during a crash in Anaheim in August 2020 was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison Friday.
Courtney Fritz Pandolfi, 44, pleaded guilty on Feb. 6 to second-degree murder and a felony count of driving under the influence of a drug causing injury, along with misdemeanor counts of driving on a suspended or revoked license due to a DUI, driving under the influence of a drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.
She also pleaded guilty to drug charges while in custody, according to Deputy District Attorney Brian Orue.
Yesenia Lisette Aguilar of Anaheim, who was 35 weeks pregnant at the time of the collision, was walking on the sidewalk with her husband, James Alvarez, on Aug. 11, 2020, when a white Jeep SUV jumped the curb and struck her, police said.
The vehicle narrowly missed her husband. The couple's daughter, Adalyn Rose, who's now 3 1/2, was born by emergency C-section.
"I just want to say how very sorry I am to you guys, your family," said Pandolfi in an emotional statement during Friday's sentencing. "There is not a day that goes by where I do not think about what I did and how I could have prevented the horrible tragedy that occurred in August 2020. I affected so many lives that day, and because of my complete selfishness, I know I changed the path of your guys' lives."
Alvarez told Pandolfi during the sentencing hearing that his daughter "lost big," and that he wanted the defendant to "share the pain I carry.''
He told the defendant he hopes she finds the help she needs for her addictions while in prison.
"I do sense her guilt, but it's not enough for me to forgive,'' Alvarez said. "If I see change in her and trying to change her ways and that she's seeking help ... then I'll finally start to forgive. It will show remorse.''
Pandolfi will be eligible for parole after serving 15 years.
City News Service, Inc. contributed to this report.
