A 13-month-old girl lost her life after an allegedly intoxicated driver struck her while her family was visiting a gravesite during a Day of the Dead ceremony in California, according to authorities.
Miguel Landeros Guzman, 50, has been charged with vehicular manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol in connection with the death of Janessa Milagro Mazur Diaz in Sacramento. He faces an additional charge of DUI causing bodily injury to Janessa’s father, Joshua Mazur.
According to Sacramento police, the incident occurred at approximately 4:45 p.m. on Sunday at St. Mary Cemetery, located in the 6700 block of 21st Avenue. Janessa’s family was among hundreds of visitors paying tribute to deceased loved ones when Guzman’s vehicle allegedly came crashing into the cemetery grounds.
Jackie Patino-Diaz, Janessa’s mother and Mazur’s girlfriend, told the Sacramento Bee that the family had gathered to pay their respects to Mazur’s grandmother, who had passed away in August.
The family was seated at the gravesite when they suddenly became aware of a vehicle approaching from behind.
“I just remember getting up, turning around and seeing the car coming this way,” Patino-Diaz told the newspaper. “I thought it was going to stop and turn.”
Rather than stopping, the vehicle continued toward them, “hopped onto the grass,” and struck both Janessa and Mazur, Patino-Diaz recalled.
Guzman allegedly attempted to flee the scene, but responding officers apprehended him and took him into custody. Emergency medical personnel transported both Janessa and her father to a nearby hospital.
“Sadly, despite lifesaving efforts, the child succumbed to her injuries,” authorities stated.
While police characterized Mazur’s injuries as non-life-threatening, family members confirmed that he had been admitted to the intensive care unit.
“What was supposed to be a peaceful visit turned into a nightmare that has forever changed our family,” a GoFundMe page said. “We are heartbroken beyond words. No parent should ever have to experience the pain of losing their child. Our sweet Janessa was taken from us far too soon, and we would give anything to have her back in our arms.”
At the time of her death, Janessa had just begun learning to say “mama,” “papa,” and “juice” , a drink she particularly adored, according to the fundraising page.
“I was with her every day. She would wake me up in the morning, she would love her scrambled eggs and her juice and her little crackers every morning,” her mother told the Bee. “So I’m going to miss that little routine, waking up and changing her diaper and making sure she ate and watching her favorite movie, ‘Coco.'”
Mazur sustained a skull fracture, as well as a broken nose, a broken arm, and two fractured ribs.
“He’s trying to heal and grieve at the same time,” Patino-Diaz told the newspaper. “I told him right now we’re just trying to focus on getting him better and getting him home. We can grieve together later on.”
Guzman is currently being held at the Sacramento County Jail without bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday. According to the Sacramento Bee, he was previously convicted of DUI in 2009.
Leave a Reply