A Ventura County man was sentenced to prison for a DUI crash that killed a good Samaritan who was helping at the scene of an earlier crash.
Francisco Garcia, 56, of Oxnard, was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for the death of Elicia Lopez-Hernandez, 52, of Oxnard, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.
On July 22, 2018, a two-vehicle crash occurred on Pleasant Valley Road in Oxnard. Two good Samaritans, including Lopez-Hernandez, had stepped out of their cars to help the victims.
As Garcia was driving eastbound on the same road, he crashed directly into the parked vehicles at the scene. Lopez-Hernandez was killed on impact and the second good Samaritan was left with serious injuries.
Garcia ditched his car and fled the scene on foot. Police later found him hiding on a nearby rooftop. Officers said his blood alcohol concentration was at 0.24% at the time and he had been heavily drinking throughout the day.
On July 9, 2025, a jury convicted Garcia of second-degree murder, two felony DUI counts that resulted in great bodily injury to another victim and felony fleeing the scene of an accident after causing serious injury.
Several special allegations and aggravating factors were found true, including that the crime involved great violence, the victim was vulnerable, and Garcia engaged in violent conduct.
Garcia also had a prior DUI conviction from 2009 and had received a Watson advisement from the court.
“A Watson advisement is a warning given to drivers in California convicted of DUI, stating that if they drive under the influence again and someone is killed, they could be charged with murder,” the department explained.
“Elicia Lopez Hernandez was struck down while trying to help others,” said Edward Andrews, a Ventura County District Attorney who prosecuted the case. “Her loss and the injury and suffering the defendant caused are tragedies that justice alone cannot heal. The sentence today brings accountability and serves to protect the community from a dangerous individual.”
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