DUI-related CAR ACCIDENT: Intoxicated mother drives SUV; kills daughter in freak accident

May 30, 2010

Oxnard – A 17-year-old girl was killed after the SUV that her mother was driving got into an accident along Vineyard Avenue Saturday evening.

The driver, 37-year-old Judith Ramirez, was allegedly under the influence when the accident occurred. According to the CHP, the SUV was driving northbound near Los Angeles Avenue. Ramirez might have turned the vehicle in a way that it ran off the road and caused the SUV to rollover into a ditch on the east side.

Along with her daughter, Victoria Castro Ramirez, there were two other passengers who were injured due to the crash: Ramirez’ 4-year-old son, and Abilene Diaz, 21, a family friend. Diaz suffered injuries to her face and right arm, while the boy had a broken left arm. Both were treated in a hospital and have been released.

This will be Ramirez’ third DUI arrest if found guilty. According to her court records, she spent 48 hours in jail after pleading guilty in a 2004 accident. She was fined $2,650 for it. Three years later, she was again charged with DUI and driving with suspended or revoked license.

Ramirez suffered lacerations on the left arm and head, and was treated at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard. CHP and the Sheriff’s Department charged her with felony charges of gross vehicle manslaughter while intoxicated, child endangerment, and DUI, and booked her into Ventura County Jail.

The accident is still under investigation. Her bail is set at $230,000.