The identity of a young woman who was killed in an early Sunday morning accident was released on Monday, February 23. The Coroner for San Mateo County identified the deceased as 18-year-old Silvia Chalista of San Jose.
Chalista was a passenger in an Audi that was driven by her friend, 18-year-old Natasha Leodjaja.
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Both of the young women were on U.S. Highway 101 near Whipple Avenue in Redwood City. Around 3:30 a.m. Leodjaja drove off the road at a high rate of speed and crashed into a utility pole.
After the initial impact, the Audi began to roll. Medical personnel on the scene of the accident pronounced Chalista dead at the scene.
The California Highway Patrol did confirm that Leodjaja was impaired by alcohol and/or drugs at the time of the accident.
It is unclear if either of the young women were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident.
Leodjaja was transported to the hospital for treatment of her injuries. She was released on Monday afternoon where she was arrested by the California Highway Patrol. She was booked into the jail on charges of felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter.
The penalty for a felony DUI conviction in California is up to three years in state prison. Fines in excess of $1000. A mandatory ignition interlock device has to be installed on any vehicles driven by the convicted person for a minimum of one year. If they refuse the ignition interlock device then it is a mandatory four-year license suspension.
The sentence for vehicular manslaughter depends on if it is considered a misdemeanor or a felony. A misdemeanor charge can carry a one-year jail sentence. A felony conviction can render a sentence of six years in state prison.
The accident is currently still being investigated.