EXCLUSIVE: Family fills courtroom as woman accused in DUI death of Good Samaritan appears in court

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Merced County courtroom was filled to capacity Thursday as relatives and friends of 28-year-old Abraham Bustos Guzman attended the arraignment of the woman accused of killing him in a DUI crash last year.

Prosecutors say 23-year-old Yessica Partida was driving intoxicated on Highway 99 near Atwater in March when she crashed into an SUV and struck Guzman, who had stopped to help another driver moments earlier.

Braulio Bustos, Guzman's brother, said the family is still grappling with the loss and shared that his brother acted out of pure compassion that morning.

"He saw someone that was stuck and that was injured and got out of his vehicle and out of his safety, out of his comfort zone, to help someone in need," he said. "It's unfortunate that my brother's life was taken that morning."

RELATED: Good Samaritan killed by DUI suspect while trying to help after crash near Atwater: CHP

Merced County District Attorney Nicole Silveira announced the charges Partida now faces, including "one gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and another driving under the influence charge."

She said Partida is being held without bail.

"She will be held without any opportunity to be released because she does present that large of a public safety danger," Silveira said.

"Not only did she get a DUI, not only did she take my brother's life on March 16, she got another DUI later on. Where's the remorse in that?" Braulio said.

Despite his grief, Braulio Bustos said he is trying to move forward.

RELATED: Funeral for man killed by DUI suspect while trying to help after Atwater crash

"I forgive her for her actions, and that's something hard to say, but I forgive her for what happened," he said.

Days after his passing, Abraham receiving an overwhelming outpouring of support from the community -- including from members of the Merced Police Department where he volunteered thousands of hours training to become an officer.

"All he ever wanted to do was serve and that's what he was trying to do but unfortunately he lost his live trying to do it," Merced Police seargeant Mark Jenkins said.

The loss has been especially painful for Guzman's mother, who has now lost two children.

"This is the second kid that has passed away in her life," Braulio said. "That's a pain no parent should ever hold. It should be us burying our parents, not the other way around."

For news updates, follow Christina Lopez on Facebook, X and Instagram.