GARDEN GROVE, CA – Courtney Fritz Pandolfi, a 44-year-old woman with a history of driving under the influence, pleaded guilty to the murder of Yesenia Aguilar, a pregnant woman from Garden Grove, CA. Pandolfi was under the influence of narcotics and driving her Jeep SUV when this incident occurred in 2020.
Pandolfi, who was awaiting a fourth DUI charge corresponding to an incident in the previous year, left the road and drove onto the sidewalk. She proceeded for over 100 yards, ultimately colliding with Aguilar. Despite the impact, Pandolfi continued to drive until her vehicle became inoperable.
Aguilar was immediately transported to UC Irvine Medical Center, where she later died. However, doctors were able to save her baby through an emergency cesarean section. The child, Adalyn Rose, is now three years old and was present to hear Pandolfi’s guilty plea alongside her father, James Alvarez.
Besides the murder charge, Pandolfi also pleaded guilty to one felony count of driving under the influence of drugs causing bodily injury with multiple previous occurrences, two misdemeanor counts of driving on a suspended license, and one misdemeanor count each of driving under the influence of drugs and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia. While she was incarcerated and awaiting trial, she pleaded guilty to two additional drug charges.
According to Orange County District Attorney, Todd Spitzer, individuals with DUI convictions in California are informed that they can face murder charges if they cause a death while driving under the influence. Given her previous DUI convictions in 2008, 2015, and 2016, Pandolfi was aware of this potential charge.
He noted that this was not a simple accident, condemning Pandolfi’s repeated choice to drive under the influence. Pandolfi is now facing a possible sentence of 15 years to life in prison.