A California woman who pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of drugs when she killed a 23-year-old pregnant woman in 2020 was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.
Courtney Pandolfi, now 44, pleaded guilty Feb. 6 to second-degree murder, along with felony driving under the influence of a drug causing injury, just as the case headed to trial.
He also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of driving with a suspended or revoked license due to a DUI, driving under the influence of a drug and possession of drug paraphernalia, along with other drug charges.
Pandolfi was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison on Friday, four years after the Jeep she was driving struck 35-weeks pregnant Yesenia Lisette Aguilar, then 23, on an Anaheim sidewalk.
Aguilar’s baby was born by emergency cesarean section after she died from her injuries at a local hospital and the 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 15 years to life in prison on Friday, four years after the Jeep she was driving struck 35-weeks pregnant Yesenia Lisette Aguilar (pictured), then 23, on an Anaheim sidewalk.
Aguilar’s baby was born via emergency C-section after she died from her injuries at a local hospital and the girl, named Adalyn Rose (pictured right), is being raised by her father and Aguilar’s husband. Aguilar, James Alvarez (pictured left).
“Although 15 years of life in prison is not enough, I can finally breathe after fighting for so long to get the justice we deserve,” Alvarez said in a instagram mail. “My fight is not over and I will continue to fight to make sure she never leaves.”
Prosecutors said Pandolfi was taking a ‘drug cocktail’ that included cocaine and methamphetamine in August 2020 when he drove his Jeep SUV onto a sidewalk in Anaheim. Hitting Aguilar.
Álvarez was walking 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 received a warning, known as a Watson notice, that if she continued driving under the influence and killed someone, she could be charged with murder.
In addition to pleading guilty to the crash that killed Aguilar, Pandolfi also admitted to driving under a combination of drugs, including methamphetamine and morphine, in November 2019.
He also admitted to possessing and using illegal drugs in jail while awaiting trial, the Register reported.
Speaking after the sentencing, Alvarez held Adalyn Rose and said he believed his wife’s last thoughts were about their daughter.
Adalyn Rose was born by emergency cesarean section after the accident. Newborn fights to survive and is being monitored for brain damage at UC Irvine Medical Center
Aguilar was hit and killed after Pandolfi lost control of the white Jeep she was driving Tuesday night.
Pandolfi, now 44, pleaded guilty Feb. 6 to second-degree murder, along with felony driving under the influence of a drug causing injury, just as the case headed to trial.
‘She survived. I survived. So I was given a second chance at her life and I’m going to do something good with her. “I want to fight for those 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 “beyond shocking” and “absolutely reprehensible” in 2020.
In a statement, prosecutor Spitzer further criticized Pandolfi, saying, “This was 100 percent preventable.” ‘This woman knew the consequences of driving under the influence and she did it anyway.’
“There is no reason why a 23-year-old mother should be dead and her daughter should grow up never seeing her mother’s smile or hearing her voice.”
At the time she was hit, Aguilar was walking with Alvarez, who witnessed the horrific incident.
The heartbroken widower said his wife was “very excited” to become a mother and revealed they had been trying to conceive for two years.
“It’s like I’m living a nightmare and I hope to wake up soon,” Alvarez said. KTLA through tears on Wednesday.
But I’m accepting the reality: she’s gone. And my daughter is the only thing I have left.’
Speaking after the sentencing, Alvarez hugged Adalyn Rose and said he believed his wife’s last thoughts were about their daughter.
Álvarez revealed at the time of the accident that the couple had been trying to have a baby for two years.
The fatal incident occurred at 7:37 pm 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 noticed Pandolfi’s jeep speeding towards them, Alvarez said: ‘I was holding her hand. I was trying to pull her towards me… and suddenly, in a second, my life changed.’
Alvarez said he is now focusing on ensuring his daughter gets better and receives the medical care she needs so he can keep a part of his wife with him.
‘I’m just praying that she is healthy. She’s the last thing I have of her,’ he said.
Meanwhile, Pandolfi was taken to the hospital with minor to moderate injuries.