Arraignment for Driver Accused of Distracted Driving in Fatal Crash
The victim's sedan was stopped in traffic on the 405 Freeway when it was struck by a driver traveling at about 80 mph, according to investigators
A woman accused of vehicular manslaughter in what authorities called a case of inattentive driving is scheduled for arraignment Monday morning in Westminster.
Jorene Ypanto Nicolas, 29, was traveling at about 80 mph in her Toyota Prius on the 405 Freeway in April and failed to notice that traffic in front of her had stopped, according to investigators. She crashed into the back of a Hyundai sedan that was driven by 23-year-old Deanna Mauer, of Fountain Valley.
Mauer's car was pushed into a vehicle in front of it, then struck the center divider. She was pronounced dead April 27 at UC-Irvine Medical Center.
Nicolas, who was arrested last week, is scheduled to be arraigned on a charge of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence Monday morning. The San Diego woman faces up to six years in prison, if convicted.
Mauer, a standout softball player at Fountain Valley High School, was a softball coach at San Juan Hills. She pitched for the San Jose State softball team.
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