A California woman who pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of drugs when she killed a 23-year-old pregnant woman in 2020 has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.
Courtney Pandolfi, now 44, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on Feb. 6, in addition to a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of a drug causing injury, just as the case was about to go to trial.
She also pleaded guilty to driving on a suspended or revoked license for driving under the influence, driving under the influence of drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia, along with other drug charges.
Pandolfi was sentenced to life in prison on Friday, four years after the Jeep she was riding in crashed into 35-week pregnant Yesenia Lisette Aguilar, then 23, on an Anaheim sidewalk.
Aguilar’s baby was delivered via emergency C-section after she died from her injuries at a local hospital and the little girl, named Adalyn Rose, is being raised by her father and Aguilar’s husband, James Alvarez.
Courtney Pandolfi, a California woman who pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of drugs when she killed a 23-year-old pregnant woman in 2020, has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison
Pandolfi was sentenced to life in prison on Friday, four years after the Jeep she was riding in crashed into 35-week pregnant Yesenia Lisette Aguilar (photo), then 23, on an Anaheim sidewalk
Aguilar’s baby was delivered via C-section after she died from her injuries at a local hospital. The little girl, named Adalyn Rose (pictured right), is being raised by her father and Aguilar’s husband, James Alvarez (pictured left)
“Even though 15 years to life in prison is not enough, I can finally breathe after fighting for so long for the justice we deserve,” Alvarez said in a speech. Instagram after. “My fight is not over and I will continue to fight to make sure she never comes out again.”
Prosecutors said Pandolfi used a “drug cocktail” containing cocaine and methamphetamine when she drove her Jeep SUV onto a sidewalk in Anaheim in August 2020. striking Aguilar.
Alvarez walked with her but was not injured.
Pandolfi, of Garden Grove, was convicted of driving under the influence of drugs in 2008, 2015 and 2016.
As a result, she was given a warning – known as Watson advice – that if she continued to drink and drive and killed someone, she could be charged with murder.
In addition to pleading guilty to the crash that killed Aguilar, Pandolfi also admitted in November 2019 to driving while using a combination of drugs, including methamphetamine and morphine.
She also acknowledged having and using illegal drugs in jail while awaiting trial, the Register reported.
After the sentencing, Alvarez held Adalyn Rose and said he believed his wife’s last thoughts were about their daughter.
Adalyn Rose was delivered via caesarean section after the accident. The newborn is fighting for survival and is being monitored for brain damage at UC Irvine Medical Center
Aguilar was struck and killed after Pandolfi lost control of the white Jeep she was riding in Tuesday evening
Pandolfi, now 44, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on Feb. 6, in addition to a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of a drug that caused injury, just as the case was about to go to trial.
‘She survived. I’ve survived it. So I got a second chance at life, and I’m going to do something good with it. I want to fight for the poor victims who lost someone in a tragic accident because of a drunk driver,” Alvarez said.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer described Pandolfi’s actions as “extremely shocking” and “absolutely reprehensible” in 2020.
In a statement, DA Spitzer further denounced Pandolfi, saying, “This was 100 percent preventable. This woman knew the consequences of drunk driving and did it anyway.’
“There is no reason why a 23-year-old mother should be dead and her daughter will grow up without ever seeing her mother’s smile or hearing her voice.”
At the time she was struck, Aguilar was walking with Alvarez, who witnessed the horrific incident.
The heartbroken widower said his wife was ‘so excited’ to become a mother, revealing they had been trying to get pregnant for two years.
“It’s like I’m living in a nightmare and I hope to wake up soon,” Alverez said KTL through tears on Wednesday.
‘But I accept that the reality is that she is gone. And my daughter is all I have left.”
After the sentencing, Alvarez held Adalyn Rose and said he believed his wife’s last thoughts were about their daughter.
Alvarez revealed at the time of the accident that the couple had been trying to have a child for two years
The fatal incident occurred at 7:37 p.m. at Katella Avenue and Bayless Street when a driver, later identified as 40-year-old Courtney Pandolfi (above), lost control of her vehicle.
Recalling the moment they saw Pandolfi’s Jeep barreling toward them, Alvarez said, “I held her hand.” I tried to pull her to me… and suddenly, in a second, my life changed.”
Alvarez said he is now focused on making sure his daughter gets better and gets the medical care she needs to keep part of his wife with her.
“I just pray she’s healthy. She’s the last thing I have of her,” he said.
Pandolfi, meanwhile, was taken to hospital with minor to moderate injuries.