Family seeks justice after mistrial in Merced DUI crash case involving death of Good Samaritan
MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- A jury was unable to reach a verdict in the case against a 24-year-old woman accused of striking and killing a Good Samaritan along Highway 99, leaving the victim's family devastated and preparing for a second trial.
Yessica Partida is accused of driving under the influence when she allegedly struck and killed 28-year-old Abraham Bustos Guzman after he stopped to help the driver of an SUV that had hit a guardrail.
Family members expressed frustration and heartbreak following the mistrial.
"We're devastated, we're upset, we're angry," said Gabriela Ortiz, Guzman's sister.
Ortiz said jurors indicated they believed a conviction would have been too harsh because of Partida's age.
"According to what the jury stated, it was a harsh punishment because she was young, which is infuriating because my brother was also young," Ortiz said.
Following the three-day trial, jurors initially voted 11-1 in favor of finding Partida not guilty before one juror changed their mind, resulting in a deadlocked jury.
Guzman's mother, Silvia Guzman, said the outcome was painful.
"I want justice for my son, but to see that they didn't come to an agreement. It hurts. It hurts a lot," she said.
More than a year after Guzman's death, his family continues to attend court proceedings and advocate for justice. Guzman was an aspiring police officer who was attending a police academy at the time of his death.
The family said each court appearance forces them to relive the circumstances surrounding the case.
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"We've become ill with anxiety. We can't sleep because we're waiting for justice," Silvia Guzman said.
Alejandra Bustos, Guzman's sister, said returning to court for another trial will be difficult.
"We have images we heard his last words, his nine one one call I think having to just go through that again. I don't think that's fair," she said.
The family also noted that Partida pleaded guilty in a separate DUI crash case about 10 months after the crash that killed Guzman. According to the family, prosecutors were unable to use that incident as evidence in this case because of the plea.
Family members said they feel the justice system has failed them and worry it could fail future victims as well.
"I know he's proud of us. We're gonna keep fighting," Ortiz said.
The Merced County District Attorney's Office said the case is scheduled for a second jury trial beginning Sept. 15. Partida remains in custody without bail.
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