Single mom killed in crash by repeat DUI driver while on way to pick up daughter from school, police say
(Gray News) - A single mom in California was killed in a crash by a suspected drunken driver while she was on the way to pick up her daughter from school.
According to the Santa Rosa Police Department, 31-year-old Jessica Avila Munoz was driving near Lombardi Court and Sebastopol Road when a car ran a red light and crashed into her, KRON4 reported.
Officials said the suspected drunken driver, identified as 68-year-old Nhan Van Nguyen, T-boned Munoz’s vehicle, pushing it into another car, officials said.
Witnesses said Munoz was unconscious and trapped in the car after the crash. She was taken to a hospital where she died from her injuries.
Nguyen should have never been behind the wheel, KTVU reported.
Nguyen’s driver’s license was suspended and he had four prior DUI arrests on his criminal record, Santa Rosa police said.
Officers at the crash scene determined that Nguyen was under the influence of alcohol, police said.
He was arrested and charged with suspicion of felony DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter.
Nguyen is being held in jail with no bail.
Munoz began working at Juvenile Hall just 10 months ago and had just moved into a new home with her sister this month, KTVU reported
According to a GoFundMe page, Munoz leaves behind her 13-year-old daughter, younger sister and parents, who she was the rock and the support.
“The world lost a beautiful soul today,” Joselin Lopez, the organizer said.
Lopez continued saying, “Jessica was a loving mother, sister, daughter and friend. She was kind, funny, motivated, and achieved anything she set her mind to. She just started her career in the hopes of bringing a better life to her daughter.”
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