Drug driver, 44, jailed for 15 years for killing glamorous 23-year-old pregnant woman – when her daughter was born by emergency caesarean section

A California woman who pleaded guilty to driving under the influence when she killed a 23-year-old pregnant woman in 2020 has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.

Courtney Pandolfi, now 44, pleaded guilty on Feb. 6 to second-degree murder in addition to a felony count of driving under the influence of a substance that caused injury just as the case was headed for trial.

She also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of driving on a suspended or revoked license due to a DUI, driving under the influence of a drug and possession of drug paraphernalia, along with other drug charges.

Pandolfi was sentenced Friday to 15 years to life, four years after the Jeep she was driving plowed into 35-week pregnant Yesenia Lisette Aguilar, then 23, on an Anaheim sidewalk.

Aguilar’s baby was born by emergency C-section after she died from her injuries at a local hospital, and the little girl, named Adalyn Rose, is being raised by her father and Aguilar’s husband, James Alvarez.

Pandolfi was sentenced Friday to 15 years to life, four years after the Jeep she was driving plowed into 35-week pregnant Yesenia Lisette Aguilar (pictured), then 23, on an Anaheim sidewalk

Aguilar’s baby was born by emergency C-section after she died from her injuries at a local hospital, and the little girl, named Adalyn Rose (pictured right), is being raised by her father and Aguilar’s husband, James Alvarez (pictured right left)

“Although 15 years left in life is not enough, I can finally breathe after fighting for so long to get the justice we deserve,” Alvarez said in a Instagram post. ‘My fight is not over and will continue to fight to make sure she never gets out.’

Prosecutors said Pandolfi was on a “drug cocktail” that included cocaine and methamphetamine in August 2020 when she drove her Jeep SUV onto a sidewalk in Anaheim. striking Aguilar.

Alvarez went with her but was not injured.

Pandolfi, of Garden Grove, was convicted of driving under the influence in 2008, 2015 and 2016.

As a result, she received a warning — known as a Watson advisory — that if she continued to drive under the influence and kill someone, she could be charged with murder.

Along with pleading guilty to the crash that killed Aguilar, Pandolfi also admitted to driving while high on a combination of drugs, including methamphetamine and morphine, in November 2019.

She also admitted to possession and use of illegal drugs in jail while awaiting trial, the Register reported.

Speaking after the sentencing, Alvarez held Adalyn Rose and said he believed his wife’s last thoughts were of their daughter.

Adalyn Rose was delivered by emergency caesarean section after the accident. The newborn is fighting to survive and is being monitored for brain damage at UC Irvine Medical Center

Aguilar was struck and killed after Pandolfi lost control of the white Jeep she was driving Tuesday night

Pandolfi, now 44, pleaded guilty on Feb. 6 to second-degree murder in addition to a felony count of driving under the influence of a substance that caused injury, just as the case was headed for trial

‘She survived. I survived. So I got a second chance at life and I want to make something good out of it. I will fight for the poor victims who lost someone in a tragic accident because of a drunk driver,” Alvarez said.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer described Pandolfi’s actions as “beyond shocking” and “absolutely reprehensible” in 2020.

In a statement, DA Spitzer hit out at Pandolfi further, saying: ‘This was 100 percent preventable. This woman knew the consequences of driving under the influence and she did it anyway.’

‘There is no reason that a 23-year-old mother is dead and her daughter will grow up without ever seeing her mother’s smile or hearing her voice.’

At the time she was hit, Aguilar was out for a walk with Alvarez, who witnessed the horrific incident.

The heartbroken widower said his wife was ‘so excited’ to become a mother and revealed they had been trying to conceive for two years.

“It’s like I’m living a nightmare and I hope to wake up soon,” Alverez said. KTLA through tears wednesday.

“But I accept that the reality is that she is gone. And my daughter is all I have left.’

Speaking after the sentencing, Alvarez held Adalyn Rose and said he believed his wife’s last thoughts were of their daughter

Alvarez revealed at the time of the accident that the couple had been trying for a baby for two years

The fatal incident took place at 7:37 p.m. at Katella Avenue and Bayless Street when a driver, later identified as 40-year-old Courtney Pandolfi (above), lost control of his vehicle

Recalling the moment they saw Pandolfi’s Jeep hurtling towards them, Alvarez said: ‘I held her hand. I tried to pull her away towards me… and all of a sudden, just in a second, my life changed.’

Alvarez said he is now concentrating on making sure his daughter gets better and gets the medical attention she needs to keep a part of his wife with him.

‘I just pray that she is well. She is the last thing I have from her, he said.

Pandolfi, meanwhile, was taken to the hospital with minor to moderate injuries.