Fresno judge reduces felony DUI charges for Clovis woman who injured mother and children
A Fresno County judge reduced two felony DUI charges to misdemeanors for a Clovis woman who was driving drunk, blew though a stop sign and crashed into a car — injuring a mother and her two children.
Melissa Ann Alexander, 40, was facing two felony charges of driving under the influence with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or more causing injury, plus DUI while causing injury.
The crash happened on Nov. 25, 2018 at about 3:30 p.m. at Ashlan and Greenwood avenues in east Fresno County.
Deputy District Attorney Steve Ueltzen said Alexander was driving a Dodge Ram truck when she ran through a stop sign on Greenwood Avenue, colliding with a Ford Explorer. Inside the Explorer were the driver and her two children, ages 10 and 6.
Court records show Alexander’s BAC was .088 shortly after the crash.
The mother suffered significant injuries, including a broken wrist, broken ribs, and fractured pelvis. She spent two and half weeks recovering in the hospital and about six weeks in a wheelchair once she was able to come home.
The 10-year-old child had a broken clavicle and punctured lung. The younger child suffered lacerations and bruising on her face.
During a pre-preliminary hearing Tuesday, Alexander’s attorney Michael Aed told Judge James Kelley that his client was ready to enter a plea of guilty. He was also asking the judge to downgrade her felony charges to misdemeanors.
Aed argued that Alexander does not have a criminal history, or previous DUI, and has complied with the court’s orders while out on bond.
But Ueltzen objected strongly, saying the crash could have been much worse. “Frankly, it was pretty bad,” Ueltzen said in court. “And we don’t see any grounds to pretend this conduct is a misdemeanor.”
Judge Kelley agreed with Ueltzen that the crash was not insignificant and that Alexander made a huge mistake to drink and drive.
“But having someone have a felony on their record does not change how the victims will heal and doesn’t change the victims’ stance at all,” Kelley said. “I think in this case, the conviction itself should serve as a deterrent for the defendant and if it doesn’t the law will deal with that.”
Kelley agreed to bump down the felony charges to misdemeanors. The difference between the two charges could have meant a maximum of 10 years in prison versus possibly probation.
Ueltzen asked the court to delay Alexander’s sentencing to Monday so he can have the victims tell the court how the crash has changed their lives. The judge agreed with that request, and the family will appear in court or via Zoom.
This story was originally published August 6, 2020 at 5:30 AM.
