Courtney Fritz Pandolfi, a 44-year-old California woman, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to driving impaired and fatally striking 23-year-old Yesenia Lisette Aguilar, who was 35 weeks pregnant at the time of the incident. Aguilar was out for a walk with her husband, James Alvarez, when a Jeep driven by Pandolfi jumped the curb and struck her on the sidewalk in Anaheim, California. Aguilar died from her injuries, but doctors managed to perform an emergency C-section to save her unborn baby, who is now 3 years old. During Pandolfi’s sentencing hearing, Alvarez delivered an emotional impact statement while holding their daughter, calling on Pandolfi to seek forgiveness and get the addiction help she needs.
Alvarez addressed Pandolfi directly during his statement, expressing his desire for her to see the face of his late wife and the daughter who will never know her mother beyond pictures and memories. Pandolfi, who had three prior DUI convictions, was driving under the influence of numerous drugs at the time of the fatal crash. She was sentenced to 15 years to life after pleading guilty to charges including second-degree murder and driving under the influence of drugs, among others. Prosecutors described the sequence of events leading to the crash, stating that Pandolfi’s vehicle continued on the sidewalk for 347 feet without braking or taking evasive action.
The District Attorney, Todd Spitzer, highlighted the tragic circumstances of Aguilar’s death, emphasizing that her last act on earth was to protect her unborn baby. He pointed out that the little girl’s first breath would forever be linked to her mother’s last breath, underscoring the devastating consequences of driving under the influence. Pandolfi expressed remorse during the hearing, acknowledging the impact of her actions on Aguilar’s family and expressing regret for the tragedy she caused. She had been under the influence of a cocktail of drugs, including cocaine and methamphetamine, at the time of the incident.
Pandolfi had a history of driving under the influence, with prior convictions in 2008, 2015, and 2016. She had received a Watson advisement, which warns DUI offenders in California of the potential for murder charges in the event of a deadly collision. The sentencing of Pandolfi served as a stark reminder of the dangers of impaired driving and the devastating consequences it can have on innocent lives. The emotional impact of the case was felt by Aguilar’s husband and their daughter, who will grow up without her mother due to Pandolfi’s actions. The tragedy underscored the importance of accountability and the need for stricter consequences for individuals who choose to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
