Woman Sentenced To 15 Years In Fatal DUI Crash That Killed 6-Year-Old Boy
CITRUS HEIGHTS (CBS13) - A woman accused of killing a 6-year-old boy while driving under the influence of methamphetamine was sentenced to 15 years behind bars on Monday.
Tresa Bales-Sterba, 52, begged for mercy during her hearing.
"I want to apologize for what I've done, for the horrible choice I made," she said. "I'm not a bad person, I made a horrible choice."
She's accused of a deadly DUI.
Prosecutors say last year that Bales-Sterba was under the influence when she ran a red light near Mariposa and Greenback Lane, hitting 6-year-old Henry Perez-Rocha and his 8-year-old brother, Juan, as they were walking to school with their mom in Citrus Heights.
A toxicology report showed at the time of the crash that she was high on methamphetamine and amphetamine.
It's her first criminal offense.
She also begged the family's forgiveness.
"I hope someday the family can find a way to forgive me, because I am not a bad person."
Henry spent months in the hospital after suffering a broken neck, but died from his injuries in January. Juan has since recovered.
"By saying sorry will not bring my little angel back," said their mother.
Through all of the tears and pleading, Bales-Sterba felt the full weight of the court.
The judge sentenced her to 15 years in prison and required her to pay the family $3,000 in restitution.
