Last Updated on May 2, 2017 by CCAR Staff
SAN BERNARDINO >> The Redlands woman charged with striking and killing a 3-year-old boy as he crossed a San Bernardino street with his family pleaded not guilty to all charges Tuesday morning in San Bernardino Superior Court.
Crystal Marie Fuentes, 34, was charged with murder, driving under the influence and gross vehicular manslaughter Monday in the death of Michael Flores, officials said.
Wearing a neck brace and a green jail jumpsuit, which signifies she’s in protective custody, Fuentes walked into the courtroom.
Fuentes’ public defender entered a not guilty plea for her as she quietly sat and listened to the proceedings.
Family members for Fuentes attended the court proceedings but declined to comment on the case.
Saint Cristin Calderon Cerrillo, Michael’s father, was not in court Tuesday but said the pain of losing his young son was amplified by the fact that he has known Fuentes for several years and considered her a friend.
“That’s what hurt me the most when I actually seen who it was in the truck,” Cerrillo said. “It surprised me and hurt me at the same time.”
Fuentes was reportedly intoxicated Thursday evening when she drove around vehicles that had stopped at the intersection of Base Line Street and Davidson Avenue to allow Michael and his family to cross the street, striking and killing the boy.
She kept driving and finally stopped after she allegedly hit another car. The truck she was driving came to a stop more than two blocks away, and she was taken into custody by police.
According to San Bernardino County sheriff’s booking records, Fuentes had been arrested on suspicion of public intoxication by Redlands police the night before the fatal crash.
Thursday’s arrest was not her only DUI arrest.
Court documents show Fuentes agreed to plead no contest to DUI April 17 in San Bernardino Superior Court. She would have served 20 days in jail but was given credit for her time already spent behind bars. Fuentes was released April 18, court and booking records show.
She was also convicted of drunken driving in February 2009, records show.
Fuentes is expected to return to court May 10.
