Repeat DUI driver convicted of second-degree murder in crash that killed Fresno retiree
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- A Fresno jury recently convicted Leigha Linae Addington of second-degree murder
- Addington had DUIs in 2016 and 2021 and was on probation from the 2021 conviction
- Addington’s blood alcohol level was about three times the legal limit of .08.
A Fresno woman with two previous drunk driving convictions was found guilty of second-degree murder for the 2021 crash that killed 65-year-old Brenda Sue Ricci, a retired hairdresser from Fresno.
It took a Fresno County Superior Court jury about an hour to convict 33-year-old Leigha Linae Addington on Wednesday. She was convicted of multiple charges and enhancements including second-degree murder, having a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit of .08, and driving on a suspended license.
Addington has two previous DUIs, one from 2016 in Fresno County and another from 2021 in Stanislaus County. She was on probation from the 2021 conviction when she crashed into Ricci on April 17, 2021, in a head-on collision on Highway 180 just west of Cornelia Avenue.
Addington faces up to 15-years-to-life in prison, said Senior Deputy District Attorney Steven Ueltzen, who prosecuted the case.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 13.
Several of Ricci’s relatives attended the eight-day hearing, including her husband Mark Booze, who is still dealing with the loss of his wife of 23 years.
“When this first happened I was angry for a long time, but that anger dies down over time and you learn to live with it,” Booze said. “But there always going to be some anger for what she did.”
Booze said he is thankful for the work of the prosecutor Ueltzen, who he said sought the most serious charges against the defendant.
“For us, seeing her convicted of the maximum charges is justice,” he said.
Booze said the saddest part of Ricci’s death is that she had just retired and was looking forward to travelling to the coast and spending more time with friends and family.
He had recently bought her a brand-new Honda CRV to celebrate this new chapter in her life.
The day of the accident, Ricci was on her way home from west Fresno County after visiting relatives.
She was headed east on Highway 180 at about 5 p.m. when a GMC pickup truck, driven by an intoxicated Addington was heading her way.
The two cars collided, head-on, after Addington had trouble staying in her lane. Addington’s blood alcohol concentration was found to be three times over the legal limit of .08.
Ricci was taken to Community Regional Medical Center with major injuries. She remained under medical care until she was taken off of life support. She died on May 19.
This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 5:05 PM.
