Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised
HOLLAND TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN: Leticia Gonzales, a western Michigan woman who had crashed her car into a retention pond while driving under the influence, leading to the death of her three sons, was sentenced to up to five years in prison on Monday, September 25, as per NBC.
As a result of the February 2022 crash, her three sons, Jerome III, 4, Jeremiah, 3, and Josiah, 1, drowned while they were still strapped into child-restraint seats.
What is Leticia Gonzales' sentence?
Leticia Gonzales faced sentencing from an Ottawa County judge, resulting in a minimum of two years and a maximum of five years in prison for operating under the influence and causing serious injury.
She was also handed 365 days in jail for each charge of moving violation causing death, to be served concurrently, with credit given for 71 days already served.
Prior to receiving her sentence, Gonzales had entered a plea of no contest, admitting to charges of driving while intoxicated, expressing remorse, and pleading for mercy through a statement.
"I’m living in pain and remorse every day and I just want my boys to know that I’m sorry for everything," said the accused, adding, "I lost everything I ever needed and I hate myself so much. I’ve been sentenced to life without them for the rest of my life, so I’m asking for forgiveness."
She shed tears as she read from a piece of paper she held in her hands, according to WZZM.
"I continue to hate myself every day, your honor. I want to apologize to my kids' family and to my community but most of all to my kids," stated Gonzales, along with, "I'm sorry for everything. If I could give my life and change places, I swear I would," while fighting her tears.
Judge Jon Hulsing mentioned that although the accused conveyed remorse for the death of her sons and the events that led to it, this was not her initial involvement with drug usage.
"This is not a one-time situation that you succumbed to pressures, and desires to use drugs. Rather, this seems to be a pattern and, unfortunately, your children paid the ultimate price for that," said the judge.
Leticia Gonzales' three sons drowned after a car crash
In February 2022, Leticia Gonzales was driving her SUV when she veered off the side of a road in Holland Township, hitting a curb, and subsequently flipped into a nearby ice-covered retention pond.
While she managed to escape the crash with minor injuries, her three young sons, Jerome III, 4, Jeremiah, 3, and Josiah, 1, drowned as they were strapped into child-restraint seats within the vehicle.
The boys remained trapped in the water for a distressing duration of 10 to 17 minutes. Jerome III and Jeremiah were pronounced dead at the scene, while Josiah tragically died several hours later at a nearby hospital.
Initial charges against Leticia Gonzales
Initially, Leticia Gonzales faced three counts of operating while intoxicated causing death.
On the day of the crash, authorities revealed that she had taken a prescribed dose of methadone, which is a drug typically used for opioid use disorder treatment and pain relief.
She had apparently taken an additional, unprescribed dose of methadone a few hours before the accident occurred.
