MADERA — The Clovis woman charged with causing the death of Frederico Nunez Silva while driving intoxicated pleaded guilty today in a Madera Superior Court, to all charges filed by the District Attorney’s Office, including Gross Vehicular Manslaughter, and D.U.I. Causing Injury.
Candice Nicole Ooley, 23, was arrested on Friday, May 20, after she crashed into the back of a Hummer in which Silva, 47, was a passenger. Three others in the SUV were injured in the accident that happened just before 10 p.m. on Highway 41 near O’Neals.
Ooley was initially charged with vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence, and causing great bodily injury while operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. She was also charged with driving on a suspended license, following a DUI arrest in June 2015.
Ooley was reported to have been six to eight months pregnant at the time of the crash.
Mauricio Laurenco, 40, was the driver of the SUV and was airlifted with major injuries. Back seat passenger Louisa Pamplona, 48, suffered major injuries, and 40-year-old Juana Pineda’s injuries were classified as minor. All were from Lemoore and all were transported to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno.
D.A. David Linn thanked Deputy District Attorney, Benjamin Levy, who has been prosecuting the case, and the California Highway Patrol, who did the investigation and prepared the MAIT (Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team) report on the case, for their great work.
“I am pleased that this matter is about to be concluded with the sentencing,” said Linn. “This matter could have continued on for a long period of time, which does no one any good. In cases like this there is really more than one victim. The individual that had died as a result of Ms. Ooley’s drunken driving was the first victim, and his family was the second victim. Ms. Ooley herself and her family have also become victims as a result of her careless act.”
Two months ago, Candice Ooley gave birth to a baby girl, who is presently being taken care of by Ooley’s mother, says Linn.
“All people should be aware that when they drive an automobile under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or when they engage in distracted driving, they take a chance of creating numerous victims, such as the individuals they may hit with their car, and their own family,” said Linn.
Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 5.
