Watsonville man sentenced to prison for DUI crash that caused “extensive injuries”
SALINAS, Calif. (KION) A Watsonville man has been sentenced to 5 years and 8 months in prison for a DUI crash that caused extensive injuries.
Investigators said 39-year-old Noel Ledesma was driving under the influence of marijuana and meth at the time of the crash in June 2019.
The California Highway Patrol reported to the crash and contacted the victim and Ledesma. When officers spoke to the victim, she said she had been going west on Blanco Road at about 50 miles per hour when she saw Ledesma's vehicle on the right shoulder of the road.
As she got closer, the victim said Ledesma made a sudden U-turn directly in front of her. She was not able to stop and hit the left side of the vehicle. As a result of the crash, she faced extensive injuries that include having her hip broken in several places that required surgery, pins and screws. She also had bilateral rib fractures, a fractured right hand, tendon tears and bruises.
When officers were talking to Ledesma, they said he showed signs of intoxication, so they administered Field Sobriety Tests. Investigators said he did not pass it, and more testing showed that he was under the influence of marijuana and meth. A blood test confirmed it.
During the sentencing, the victim spoke about how Ledesma's choices affected her life, career and family, saying she is lucky to be alive.
Ledesma had a prior strike from a 2013 assault with a deadly weapon conviction in Monterey County. He will have to serve 85% of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.
