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DRUNKEN DRIVER SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR MURDERING MOTHER OF THREE IN HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH MINIVAN IN MISSION VIEJO

Posted by Fay Arfa | Jan 23, 2018 | 0 Comments

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A drunken driver was sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison on Friday for murdering a mother of three after driving into oncoming traffic and crashing head-on into her minivan in Mission Viejo.

Defendant Charges Sentence
William Joseph Carroll, 51, Mission Viejo Found guilty by a jury on Nov. 13, 2017, of:
  • One felony count of second degree murder
15 years to life in state prison

Circumstances of the Case

  • At approximately 11:40 p.m. on May 7, 2013, Carroll was driving a pickup truck while under the influence of alcohol in Mission Viejo.
  • The defendant made a left turn from El Toro Road onto Santa Margarita Parkway and drove southbound in the northbound lanes.
  • Carroll drove approximately one-third of a mile into oncoming traffic before slamming head-on into a minivan being driven by 36-year-old Ana Martinez.
  • The victim was alone in the car and died as a result of the impact of the collision. She is survived by her husband and three children, then ages 2, 7, and 15.
  • Carroll displayed objective signs of intoxication and had a blood alcohol content of .23 percentapproximately two hours after the collision.
  • The defendant turned himself in to law enforcement in New York after being charged and was transported back to Orange County on Feb. 2, 2014. The Orange County Sheriff's Department investigated this case.
  • Carroll had prior knowledge that he could be charged with murder if he killed a person while driving under the influence of alcohol based on a prior misdemeanor driving under the influence charge to which he pleaded guilty on Dec. 4, 2008 (Case #08HM08824).

At the sentencing on Friday, the victim's daughter and mother read impact statements pursuant to Marsy's Law.

Prosecutor: Senior Deputy District Attorney Daniel Feldman, Homicide Unit

Orange County District Attorney / Case # 14HF0031 / January 22, 2018

About the Author

Fay Arfa

Fay Arfa has the distinction of being Certified as a Specialist in two separate areas of law – Criminal Law as well as Appellate Law – by the California State Bar, Board of Specialization. The National Board of Trial Advocacy has also awarded her a board Certification in Criminal Trial Advocacy. ...

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