| For Immediate Release Case # 06ZF0136 July 27, 2007 |
Contact: Farrah Emami Spokesperson Office: 714-347-8405 Cell: 714-323-4486 |
DRIVER SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON FOR KILLING ORANGE CITY COUNCILMAN IN HEAD-ON
CAR CRASH WHILE ON METHAMPHETAMINE
*Victim was Orange City Councilman Steven Ambriz
SANTA ANA – A driver under the influence of methamphetamine was sentenced today to 10 years in state prison for killing an Orange Councilman when she crashed into his car head-on while driving on the wrong side of the road. Sara Lyn Ward, 31, a grocery store clerk, pleaded guilty to the court on May 11, 2007 to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and possession of marijuana while driving.
On the evening of May 25, 2006, Ward was driving her 2002 Dodge Dakota pick-up truck on Santiago Canyon Road in Orange while under the influence of methamphetamine. She was driving erratically and veering her car across the 12-foot asphalt median onto the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic. While driving on the wrong side of the road, Ward crashed head-on into a Toyota Camry driven by Orange City Councilman Steven Frank Ambriz, who was killed in the crash. He is survived by his wife and 4-year-old daughter. Ward was also in possession of marijuana at the time of the crash.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Rebecca Olivieri of the Felony Projects Unit prosecuted this case.
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