The Merced County District Attorney's Office filed felony charges today against 18-year-old Obdulia Sanchez following a single-car crash on July 21 in Los Bancos. The case has caught international attention as a result of Sanchez livestreaming her actions on social media immediately prior to and after the crash. Both Sanchez's 14-year-old sister, Jacqueline Sanchez, and injured another 14-year-old passenger were killed in the wreck.
Sanchez has been charged with one count of gross vehicular manslaughter, an alternative count of gross vehicular manslaughter, two counts of driving under the influence resulting in injury, and two counts of driving with a .08% blood alcohol content causing injury.
According to Chief Deputy District Attorney Harold Nutt, Sanchez faces a maximum sentence of 13 years, eight months in state prison if she is convicted of these charges.
"The behavior demonstrated both prior to and after the incident, as documented by the defendant's own recording, is disturbing and shocking," said Nutt. "The Merced County District Attorney's Office will do everything in its power to see that justice is done in this matter.”
The investigation is ongoing and the attorney's office is not ruling out the possibility of additional charges.
