| For Immediate Release Case # 09ZF0049
May 11, 2009 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
DRIVER UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF METHAMPHETAMINE SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR KILLING ONE AND INJURING ANOTHER IN 90 MPH CRASH AFTER RUNNING RED LIGHT
SANTA ANA – A driver under the influence of methamphetamine was sentenced Friday, May 8, 2009, for killing one man and injuring another after driving over 90 mph through a red light and crashing into their cars in an intersection. Amika Sergejev, 31, pleaded guilty to the court at her arraignment on March 6, 2009, to one felony count of vehicular manslaughter by unlawful act with gross negligence while under the influence, one felony count of driving under the influence causing bodily injury, and a sentencing enhancement allegation for causing great bodily injury. She was sentenced to nine years and eight months in state prison.
At approximately 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 3, 2008, Sergejev was driving eastbound over 93 mph in a 40 mph zone on Lincoln Avenue in Cypress. She was under the influence of methamphetamine and weaving in and out of lanes. Sergejev, who was driving a rented GMC pick-up truck, ran through a red light at the intersection of Walker Street and Lincoln Avenue and crashed into two cars that were legally passing through the intersection.
Lee Neang, 69, was pronounced dead at the scene due to blunt force trauma. Peter VanDyk, 20, was transported to the hospital to have glass fragments removed from his body.
At the sentencing on Friday, three of Neang’s family members gave impact statements to the court during which they discussed their grief and remembered Neang as a hero who had served in the Cambodian Air Force during a time of Cambodian civil war.
Deputy District Attorney Jason Baez of the Homicide Unit prosecuted this case.
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