Drug driver, 44, is jailed for 15 years for killing glamorous 23-year-old pregnant woman - as her daughter was delivered by emergency C-section

A California woman who pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of drugs when she killed a 23-year-old pregnant woman in 2020 has been sentenced to 15 years to life in jail. 

Courtney Pandolfi, now 44, pleaded guilty back on February 6 to second-degree murder in addition to a felony count of driving under the influence of a drug causing injury just as the case was headed for trial.

She also pled guilty to misdemeanor counts of driving on a suspended or revoked license due to a DUI, driving under the influence of a drug and possession of drug paraphernalia, along with other drug charges.

Pandolfi was sentenced to 15 to life Friday, four years after the Jeep she was driving plowed into the 35 weeks pregnant Yesenia Lisette Aguilar, then 23, on an Anaheim sidewalk. 

Aguilar's baby was delivered by an emergency C-section after she died from her injuries at a local hospital and the little girl, named Adalyn Rose, is being raised by her father and Aguilar's husband, James Alvarez.

Courtney Pandolfi, a California woman who pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of drugs when she killed a 23-year-old pregnant woman in 2020 has been sentenced to 15 years to life in jail

Pandolfi was sentenced to 15 to life Friday, four years after the Jeep she was driving plowed into the 35 weeks pregnant Yesenia Lisette Aguilar (pictured), then 23, on an Anaheim sidewalk 

Aguilar's baby was delivered by an emergency C-section after she died from her injuries at a local hospital and the little girl, named Adalyn Rose (pictured right), is being raised by her father and Aguilar's husband, James Alvarez (pictured left)

'Even though 15 years to life isn't enough, I can finally breathe after fighting for so long to get the justice that we deserve,' Alvarez said in an Instagram post. 'My fight ain't over and will continue to fight to make sure she never gets out.'

Prosecutors said Pandolfi was on a 'drug cocktail' that included cocaine and methamphetamine in August 2020 when she drove her Jeep SUV onto a sidewalk in Anaheim, striking Aguilar. 

Alvarez was walking with her but was not injured.

Pandolfi, of Garden Grove, was convicted of driving under the influence of drugs in 2008, 2015 and 2016. 

As a result, she received a warning - known as a Watson advisement - that if she continued to drive under the influence and killed someone she could be charged with murder.

Along with pleading guilty to the crash that killed Aguilar, Pandolfi also admitted to driving while on a combination of drugs, including methamphetamine and morphine, in November 2019.

She also acknowledged possessing and using illegal drugs in jail while awaiting trial, the Register reported.

Speaking after the sentencing, Alvarez held Adalyn Rose and said he believed his wife's last thoughts were about their daughter.

Adalyn Rose was delivered by emergency cesarean section after the accident. The newborn is fighting to survive and being monitored for brain damage at UC Irvine Medical Center

Aguilar was hit and killed after Pandolfi lost control of the white Jeep she was driving on Tuesday evening

Pandolfi, now 44, pleaded guilty back on February 6 to second-degree murder in addition to a felony count of driving under the influence of a drug causing injury just as the case was headed for trial

'She survived. I survived. So I was given a second chance in life, and I´m going to do something good out of it. I want to fight for those poor victims who lost someone in a tragic accident because of a drunk driver,' Alvarez said.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer described Pandolfi's actions as 'beyond shocking' and 'absolutely reprehensible' in 2020. 

In a statement, DA Spitzer further slammed Pandolfi, saying: 'This was 100 percent preventable. This woman knew the consequences of driving under the influence and she did it anyway.'

'There is no reason why a 23-year-old mother is dead and her daughter will grow up without ever seeing her mother's smile or hearing her voice.'

At the time she was struck, Aguilar was out on a walk with Alvarez, who witnessed the horrible incident.   

The heartbroken widower said his wife was 'so excited' about becoming a mom, and revealed that they had been trying to conceive for two years.   

'It's like I'm living a nightmare and I'm hoping to wake up soon,' Alverez told KTLA through tears on Wednesday.

'But I'm accepting the reality is she's gone. And my daughter is the only thing that I have left.' 

Speaking after the sentencing, Alvarez held Adalyn Rose and said he believed his wife's last thoughts were about their daughter 

 Alvarez revealed at the time of the accident that the couple had been trying for two years to have a baby 

The fatal incident occurred at 7:37pm on Katella Avenue and Bayless Street when a driver, later identified to be 40-year-old Courtney Pandolfi (above), lost control of her vehicle

Recalling the moment they noticed Pandolfi's Jeep charging towards them, Alvarez stated: 'I was holding her hand. I was trying to pull her away towards me... and all of a sudden, out of a second, my life changed.'

Alvarez said he is now concentrating on ensuring his daughter gets better and receives the medical attention she needs so as to keep a part of his wife with him.

'I'm just praying that she is healthy. She's the last thing I have from her,' he said. 

Pandolfi, meanwhile, was taken to the hospital with minor to moderate injuries.