Single mother dies in crash involving repeated drunk driver on way to pick up her daughter from school, police say

(Gray News) – A single mother in California was killed in a traffic accident caused by a suspected drunk driver while she was picking up her daughter from school.

According to Santa Rosa police, 31-year-old Jessica Avila Munoz was walking near Lombardi Court and Sebastopol Road when a car ran a red light and collided with her, KRON4 reported.

Officials said the suspected drunk driver, identified as 68-year-old Nhan Van Nguyen, drove into the side of Munoz's vehicle and pushed it into another car.

Witnesses said Munoz was unconscious and trapped in the car after the crash. She was taken to a hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

Nguyen should never have gotten behind the wheel, KTVU reported.

Nguyen's driver's license was suspended and he had four previous drunken driving arrests on his criminal record, Santa Rosa police said.

Officers at the scene of the accident determined that Nguyen was under the influence of alcohol, police said.

He was arrested and charged with suspicion of drunk driving and negligent homicide.

Nguyen is being held in jail without bail.

Munoz only started working at the juvenile detention center 10 months ago and just moved into a new home with her sister this month, KTVU reported.

According to a GoFundMe page, Munoz leaves behind her 13-year-old daughter, her younger sister and her parents, for whom she was a support and a rock.

“The world lost a wonderful soul today,” said organizer Joselin Lopez.

Lopez continued, “Jessica was a loving mother, sister, daughter and friend. She was kind, funny, motivated and accomplished everything she set her mind to. She began her career with only the hope of giving her daughter a better life.”

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