Santa Cruz Co. Woman Convicted of Vehicular Manslaughter Sentenced To Prison

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — The Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office announced Tuesday that a woman was sentenced to 11 years in prison for the death of a man she hit near Watsonville last year while driving under the influence. Violeta Chacon Cervantes was convicted of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident, prosecutors said.

According to the district attorney's office, Scott Kenneth Brunton was biking with a friend on Freedom Boulevard near Scurich Lane at about 8:40 p.m. on Dec. 11 when Cervantes struck and killed him. Cervantes was driving while under the influence of methadone and valium.

Immediately after the collision, Cervantes fled the scene and drove north on Freedom Boulevard. California Highway Patrol officers responded and apprehended Cervantes about six miles away, prosecutors said. According to prosecutors, Cervantes was uncooperative with the officers and displayed objective symptoms of drug intoxication. She also fell asleep during the investigation.

Prosecutors said that Cervantes has a history of abusing controlled substances and was a patient at a local methadone clinic at the time of the collision. She was also on probation for several misdemeanor
offenses, including a 2014 conviction in Monterey County for driving while impaired.

"The defendant is being held fully accountable for her actions and decision," Assistant District Attorney Alex Byers, who prosecuted the case, said in a statement. "Our office feels that justice has truly been served for
the victim and his family, and that our community will be safer as a result of this sentence."

By Bay City News

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