DUI Driver Who Caused Fatal Hillcrest Crash Has Been Sentenced

The woman who caused the fatal Hillcrest accident in March was handed a 13-year, 4-month prison sentence on Wednesday. 

Alondra Marquez, 22, pleaded guilty in August to gross vehicular manslaughter. At the time of the accident, Marquez was driving while intoxicated, killing 40-year-old Giao Pham and  seriously injuring his friend, Andy Lynn.

Marquez’s family pleaded to the court Wednesday for a lighter sentence. 

Alexa Marquez, the younger sister of Marquez addressed the court, “I miss you, sis.” “I honestly wouldn’t know how to act. But please, don’t take it out on my sister.”

While Marquez’s family pleaded for a lighter sentence, Pham’s life partner, John Lawhead felt differently. Lawhead shouted “Your actions that night took my partner! My world! My everything!”

The crash occurred on March 23, 2019 when Pham and Lynn were in town for a wedding. They had just left a bar in a Lyft when Marquez crashed into the back of their vehicle on state Route 163 near Laurel street. The crash killed Pham instantly and left Lynn with a serious brain injury. 

According to prosecutors, Marquez was driving at 109 mph in a 55 mph area and had a blood-alcohol level three times over the legal limit. It is also known that two of Marquez’s friends tried to stop her from driving after leaving the bar. 

Marquez spoke to the court on Wednesday apologizing for her actions. Her family also stated that this action was out of character for their daughter. 

Prosecutors did not agree with the family however. Marquez has a history of drug and alcohol problems and the March 23 accident could have been avoided. San Diego County Superior Court Judge Polly Shamoon said that “It was not an accident. An accident is something that is not avoidable. This was avoidable.”

Source: 10news

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