Reedley woman accused of killing toddler in 2009 now sentenced for recent DUI crash

Wednesday, June 14, 2017
REEDLEY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Just a few months ago police said 26-year-old Megan Roque flipped her SUV upside down after crashing into a parked car, causing a chain reaction collision to more cars. Neighbors nearby heard the loud crash and took pictures at the scene.

After complying with police, a breath test showed Roque was well above the legal limit of alcohol and she was booked for driving under the influence. On Wednesday, her attorney plead guilty for her to the misdemeanor charge.

"If she's out driving a car and admitted to over a .15, or perhaps a .21, which is pretty serious, you're over 2.5 times the drunk driving limit. This person could be a danger to the community," said Tony Capozzi, Legal Analyst.

Roque is no stranger to being charged with a crime-- in 2009, she was accused of killing 17-month-old Ella Vanleeuwen while babysitting and charged with murder.

Roque claimed the toddler fell three feet from a bed onto carpet and after spending 52 days in jail, she bailed out, convincing most of the jurors Vanleeuwen had previous injuries that could have killed her. She ended up taking a plea deal and got three years' probation for involuntary manslaughter.

"Was really a high profile, it was all over the news media, to come back and have another offense you're really treading on dangerous water here as to whether or not you're going to do some jail time," said Capozzi.

Capozzi said she is lucky no one got hurt in this crash. He also said the judge may not have known about her prior manslaughter conviction, but doesn't know if it would have held any bearing on this case.

Roque's attorney did not want to make a statement after court.

Roque received a standard DUI sentence which will include three years of informal probation, fines, and a DUI course that will last nine months.
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