The Anaheim Police Department identified a 23-year-old pregnant woman who died after she was struck by a repeat DUI offender on Wednesday. The previous day, Yseneia Lisette Aguilar was strolling down Katella Avenue near Disney California Adventure Theme Park with her husband. At approximately 7:30 p.m., a Jeep driven by a drunk driver lost control, drove onto the sidewalk, and struck her.
Sadly, when emergency personnel arrived at the scene, they found that the injuries Aguilar sustained were severe. She died while being transported to UC Irvine Medical Center for medical attention. Aguilar was approximately eight months pregnant at the time of the crash. However, medical personnel were able to deliver her baby girl via an emergency cesarean section. Following her birth, the baby girl was in critical condition and received extensive treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit.
The repeat DUI offender was identified as 40-year-old Courtney Fritz Pandolfi who has been arrested multiple times for DUIs. Her criminal history goes back at least 20 years and, according to the DMV, the courts suspended her license in 2016. Authorities arrested and charged her with one felony count of murder, one felony count of driving under the influence of drugs causing injury, and one misdemeanor count of driving on a suspended license.
According to the Orange County District Attorney’s office, Pandolfi faces a maximum sentence of life if convicted of all charges. The court increased her bail from $1 million to $3 million during her arraignment.
A DUI Changed Their Lives Forever
The Aguilar family is grieving the loss of their beloved family member. Her husband told KTLA News that he is living in a nightmare but is accepting the reality that his wife is gone, and his beautiful baby girl is the only thing he has left. He has since started a GoFundMe account to raise money for his wife’s funeral.
Drinking and driving has the potential to ruin innocent lives. This incident was completely preventable, yet a baby girl is now forced to grow up without her loving mother. Please practice caution and regard for others by refraining from driving while under the influence of any kind.
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