VISTA–A 29-year-old Oceanside female motorist who killed a pedestrian in a hit-and-run crash June 27 was charged with murder at a hearing at the Vista Courthouse Thursday.
Esteysi’ Sanchez is charged with two counts of driving while intoxicated, hit-and-run, gross vehicular manslaughter, and driving without a license. An immigration hold was placed on her. She pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to authorities, Sanchez hit 69-year-old Jack Ray Tenhulzen on a sidewalk in the 4000 block of Mission Avenue in Oceanside. The impact of the crash sent Tenhulzen’s body through the vehicle’s front windshield, severing a leg, and landed in the passenger front seat. She continued to drive about a half-mile to Magdalena Drive, parked her Pontiac sedan in the neighborhood, and ran to her home. She was later arrested by Oceanside police.
Authorities say Sanchez had been drinking prior to the 6:30 a.m. crash, and her blood-alcohol content was between .18 and .19 percent the legal limit of .08.
If found guilty, Sanchez faces 15 years to life in prison. She returns to court Sept. 27 for a readiness conference.
