Albuquerque mother sentenced following deadly DWI crash
[anvplayer video=”5193449″ station=”998122″]
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Video shows two local moms drinking before the crash that killed two of their children. Alexis Martinez was behind the wheel, and Danielle Ortiz was in the passenger seat.
Martinez was driving with Ortiz and their four children on I-25 near the Big-I when they crashed into a barrier. Prosecutors say Ortiz encouraged Martinez to drive that night, knowing Martinez had been drinking.
The crash killed Martinez’s 7-year-old daughter and Ortiz’s 2-month-old baby boy. The other children suffered serious injuries.
Both moms pleaded guilty in the case.
Martinez learned her sentence last month. Judge Stan Whitaker sentenced Martinez to 18 years in prison and five years of probation. Whitaker also ordered her to undergo alcohol abuse treatment and get her GED while on probation.
Video shows two moms drinking before the crash that killed two of their children. Alexis Martinez was behind the wheel, and Danielle Ortiz was in the passenger seat.
On Monday, Ortiz learned her sentence – 10 years in prison, followed by five years of probation.
Ortiz chose not to speak at the hearing. Instead, her attorney spoke on her behalf.
“We would ask the court, while there is no mandatory prison time required in the sentence, to entertain the idea of a probated sentence, your honor,” the defense attorney said.
Judge Whitaker denied that request, saying it was important for Ortiz to show some accountability in prison.
Whitaker did agree to let Ortiz turn herself in five days from now, because she has business to finish up at home – including making arrangements for her eight-month-old baby.