A nurse who drove while intoxicated and killed a woman on Interstate 8 while driving the wrong way has been sentenced to six years in state prison.
Before a packed courtroom, San Diego Superior Court Judge Polly Shamoon ordered Briana Michelle Contreras, 25, to pay $23,780 for funeral and burial expenses for Cecilia Echeverria, 49.
Approximately 35 people showed up to support Contreras and there were about 12 people who sat in the first two rows who supported Echeverria (pictured above), who was killed on Jan. 13, 2024.
Both the judge and prosecutor suggested that Contreras’ profession was an aggravating factor in the case. The prosecutor said Contreras drove at 70 mph in the wrong direction at twice the legal limit for drunk driving.
“She’s a nurse at one of the largest hospitals in San Diego,” said Deputy District Attorney Deven Klee.
“You are the one who should have known (better),” said the judge to Contreras, referring to her profession as a nurse. “This wasn’t an accident.”
“You intentionally got into your car with a high blood alcohol level,” said Shamoon. “There are alternatives. There is Lyft, Uber.”
Contreras, who formerly worked at Scripps Mercy Hospital, pleaded guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI, and driving the wrong way on a divided highway. The judge limited the maximum sentence at six years.
The victim’s mother, Rosemary Echeverria, said her daughter died without a will and their family was shocked by her unexpected death.
“Who would have guessed that I would outlive her?” said her mother. “She was full of life and happy always. She was a major part of our life every day.”
“Her absence has left a hole that can never be filled,” said the victim’s sister, Christina Brown, who added she “kept replaying the what ifs” in her mind.
Contreras, speaking from behind a glass module, told the victim’s family “I’m deeply regretful for causing your loss.” She added: “My choices were reckless and out of character.”
Her attorney, Jeremy Fredrickson-Aguilar, urged the judge to suspend a prison term or impose no more than a 4-year sentence, saying “she intends to make amends.”
Her attorney said his client was brought to court in a wheelchair because she is still recovering from injuries in the collision.
Shamoon gave Contreras credit for already serving 358 days in jail since her arrest.
