Garden Grove, California – A woman from Garden Grove, California, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, driving under the influence of a drug causing injury, and other charges after running over a 23-year-old pregnant woman in Anaheim, prosecutors said Tuesday.
The crash occurred in August 2020 when the 44-year-old woman, Courtney Fritz Pandolfi, driving a white Jeep SUV, jumped the curb and struck Yesenia Lisette Aguilar, who was 35 weeks pregnant at the time. Aguilar was walking on the sidewalk with her husband when the incident occurred. She was rushed to UCI Medical Center, where doctors performed a caesarean section to deliver the baby.
After the court hearing, Aguilar’s husband, James Alvarez, spoke with reporters, reminiscing about his wife’s caring nature and their excitement about expecting a child. He described how their now-3 1/2-year-old daughter, Adalyn Rose, brings glimpses of his wife back to life through her mannerisms and looks.
Aguilar had been preparing to take a state board test to fulfill her dream of becoming a hairstylist, and she worked as a ticket-taker at Disneyland, which was a great perk for Alvarez, a Disney fan. He described the emotional roller coaster of waiting for the case to go to trial and expressed relief that Pandolfi took responsibility for her actions.
Pandolfi’s attorney, Fred Fascenelli, stated that his client decided to plead guilty to spare the victim’s family the anguish of a trial. He also mentioned that part of the delay in resolving the case was due to ensuring there was no lasting damage to Adalyn after the emergency c-section surgery. Fascenelli added that Pandolfi is seeking help to manage her addiction issues and is likely to get more effective help in prison.
Pandolfi is set to be sentenced on April 12 and could face 15 years to life in prison due to being previously convicted of DUI and given a “Watson Waiver.” This waiver warns DUI offenders that if they get into a deadly collision, they face an upgraded charge of murder. Pandolfi has a history of previous guilty pleas to charges related to drug possession, driving under the influence, and identity theft.
The case underscores the devastating impact of driving under the influence and the importance of accountability for such actions. It also highlights the resilience of the victim’s family in the face of tragedy and their unwavering determination to honor Yesenia Lisette Aguilar’s memory.