« I’m such a disappointment to my parents. »
When Obdulia Sanchez was arrested for the death of her sister that resulted from a drunk driving incident — while livestreaming it — she told an officer that her time would be “cut… in half” because of a new California law .
On Thursday, a Merced County judge had the final say.
The Merced Sun-Star reports that before sentencing, Sanchez read an emotional statement to the court that included her deep regret:
“I feel like such an idiot. Why did God choose me to be the older sister. I can’t even do my job right. When I look at my mom’s face, I know she hates me. I would hate myself too. I’m such a disappointment to my parents.”
The case became so notorious because Sanchez livestreamed the drive on social media with her 14-year-old sister, Jacqueline, and their 15-year-old friend, Manuela Ceja, in the car:
Sanchez told KGPE-TV a month after the crash that she livestreamed her drives all the time and didn’t realize what a “monster” she was that day.
The Sun-Star reported that in her statement, Sanchez said that the livestream was an effort to “look cool,” saying, “I had so much potential, but I threw it all away because I wanted to look cool and drive carelessly.”
After the crash, she found her sister’s lifeless body and, while livestreaming, told her, « Wake up baby, I’m f**king sorry baby. I did not mean to kill you, sweetie.”
After Sanchez read her letter of apology, Judge Ronald Hansen sentenced her to six years and four months in prison on the gross vehicular manslaughter, DUI, and child endangerment charges.
The DA asked for twice that amount of jail time, while her attorney asked for probation. The judge said those were two extreme choices, noting, « Probation is very rare, very rare. The max is very, very rare, with this person’s background.”
He split the difference and gave her over six years.
The Merced Sun-Star reports that because of time served she may be eligible for parole in 2020.
