Crime & Safety
Watsonville Woman Sentenced In Deadly 2017 DUI Crash
Aptos resident Kathryn Stokes, 86, was hit and killed walking across the road.
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — A 22-year-old Watsonville woman was sentenced to 11 years in prison for gross vehicular manslaughter for the 2017 hit-and-run death of 86-year-old Aptos resident Kathryn Stokes, Santa Cruz County Assistant District Attorney Alex Byers announced Friday.
Julissa Guzman, who authorities said had a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit at the time of the Dec. 17, 2017, crash, had been driving west on Soquel Drive when she struck and killed Stokes who was walking across the road at the intersection of Soquel and Rosedale Avenue.
Following the crash, Guzman did not stop her vehicle, but instead drove away and dropped off her passengers before continuing on to her home. She was later arrested by California Highway Patrol officers and Santa Cruz County Sheriff's deputies.
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Guzman had two previous alcohol-related driving convictions in 2017 and was on probation for one of those offenses at the time of the crash.
"Guzman's choice to drive while impaired exhibited a conscious disregard for human life and the court held her responsible for that choice and its tragic consequences," Byers said in a statement.
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By Bay City News
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