The Anaheim Police Department on Wednesday identified a pregnant woman who they say died after an SUV, driven by a suspected DUI driver, plowed into her while she was walking on a sidewalk with her husband.
Yesenia Lisette Aguilar, 23, was fatally struck when a Jeep jumped the curb on Katella Avenue near Bayless Street shortly after 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to police. The SUV narrowly missed hitting her husband and he was not injured.
Aguilar was approximately 35 weeks pregnant, said Anaheim Sgt. Shane Carringer, who released the victim’s name to KTLA.
She died after being transported to UC Irvine Medical Center.
Her baby, a girl, was delivered via a cesarean section at the hospital; the newborn was last reported to be in critical condition and being treated in the neonatal intensive care unit.
“We ask you keep Adalyn Rose ( Yesenias daughter) and her family in your prayers,” reads a GoFundMe account that has been set up to by the victim’s husband to pay for her funeral, as well as medical costs.
James Alvarez described Aguilar as “a beloved daughter, sister, wife, aunt and friend.” A family friend also told KTLA that the young woman, who lived in Anaheim, had been employed at Disneyland.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our cast member Yesenia Aguilar and we offer our deepest condolences to her family, friends and loved ones,” a Disneyland spokesperson told KTLA.
Meanwhile, the Jeep’s driver, identified as 40-year-old Courtney Pandolfi of Garden Grove, was arrested after the crash. She has been booked into Orange County Jail on suspicion of murder, DUI drugs causing bodily injury and driving on a suspended license, police said.
Her bail was set at $1 million.
Pandolfi has two prior DUI arrests and could face a murder charge in connection with the collision, according to an Anaheim police news release.
She was initially treated for unspecified minor to moderate injuries at a local hospital.
Police did not release any information about the previous DUI arrests.
The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to call police at 714-765-1474.
