A former nurse has been sentenced to a decade behind bars for a fatal accident that claimed the life of an elderly pedestrian in San Antonio, as reported by FOX San Antonio. 71-year-old Sylvia Ann López was handed down a 10-year sentence after a jury found her guilty of intoxication manslaughter for the death of 78-year-old Irma Lozano, who was struck while walking her dogs on the morning of May 11, 2022.
According to the reports, López's vehicle veered off the road, hitting Lozano before crashing into a tree. It was during this tragic turn of events that López required to be extracted from her vehicle. Investigations later revealed that López had several prescription medications in her system, though no alcohol was detected. KENS 5 notes that the accident report listed López as disoriented and drowsy at the scene.
Bexar County's courtroom saw the end of this somber case where the former Licensed Vocational Nurse with no previous criminal record received her sentence in the 379th District Court. "This is a tragic case which reminds us that decisions have consequences," Bexar County Criminal District Attorney Joe Gonzales told KENS 5. "Any time we get behind the wheel of an automobile, it is our obligation to make sure that we are fully competent to drive," he added, highlighting the grave responsibility every driver bears.
Prosecution was headed by Assistant District Attorney Hunter Morris with the help of ADA Jessica Schulze, Investigator Irene Presas, and Crime Victim’s Advocate Jacqueline Garcia. Faced with a possible sentence ranging from probation to 20 years, López will serve a 10-year term at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Both FOX San Antonio and KENS 5 emphasized Gonzales's remarks on the importance of driver vigilance and the unforgiving nature of poor decisions on the road.
