Citrus Heights woman held in fatal collision at Mather
(Published June 25, 2001 in the Sacramento Bee)
A head-on collision with an alleged drunken driver at Mather Field killed a 37 year old man Saturday night, authorities said.
Leslie John Hanawalt of Sacramento was driving eastbound on Mather Boulevard at 10:11 p.m. when a westbound car veered into his path during a turn and the two cars collided, the California Highway Patrol said.
Hanawalt was crushed inside his pickup truck and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics, according to the CHP.
The Driver of the other car, Monica Lea Chandler, 22, of Citrus Heights, was uninjured in the collision.
The CHP said she tested positive for alcohol and was arrested at the scene on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter.
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This is what remains of Leslie's truck. He never stood a chance of making it out alive from this wreck, at the hands of a drunk driver! Leslie lived for just a short time after the wreck, as people passing by were stopping and trying to help him, however, by the time the paramedics arrived he had died. The drunk driver who killed Leslie walked away from the wreckage, and has plead not guilty! How on earth do you plea NOT GUILTY when you have taken a life due to your own stupidity and negligence????!!!!
UPDATE: Prior to Monica crashing into Leslie's truck she was involved in a hit an run. She also forced another vehicle off the road (a man and his young son) prior to crashing into Leslie's truck. Witness's have stated that when she forced them off the road, by crossing into their lane, that she was traveling at a high rate of speed. She struck Leslie's truck head on. We have learned thru witness's statements that Leslie lived for a short while after the accident, and that he was conscious, and stated he could not breath. How horrible! To know you've just suffered a very severe crash, and most likely knew you were going to die! Leslie DID NOT deserve this!
Why didn't Monica stop after hitting a parked car?? Monica's truck even stalled after hitting the park car, but she restarted her truck and continued on her drunken driving! Monica's passenger even asked if she was going to stop, but sadly she did not! She fled the scene of that accident, almost caused another accident, and still did not stop! After hitting the parked car, and fleeing from that accident, Monica even "over shot" a stop sign's limit line, her passenger stated that the tires locked and squealed. But still,, Monica did not stop driving! Monica's passenger even asked her to slow down repeatedly just prior to Monica crashing into Leslie's truck! Why couldn't she listen and pay attention to all the signs that were ever present that she was in no condition to be driving and putting everyone on the road at risk??
Monica began her day on 23 June 2001, partying all day long. Going from place to place to continue partying.
Update: Monica pleaded Nolo. She was sentenced to 4 years in prison on June 10, 2002. Not much for committing murder is it?? But she copped a plea by pleading nolo instead of flat out pleading not guilty as she did in her prior court appearances. DUI laws still have a long way to go. And until the laws are changed drastically, killers like Monica will continue to serve minimal time, and others will go free with just a slap on the wrist. Monica was still in total denial at the court date. In court Monica was still claiming she was not drunk, and that someone "spiked her drink",,,, gee wonder how she blew a .214 when she wasn't drunk??? Sounds like a drunk to me! Thru the entire sentencing and other court appearances Monica never once showed any sign of remorse, what a slap in the face for our family!! I hope some day she first gets help for her apparent drinking problem, and second, realizes she killed someone! And that no one has the right to kill another person! Being drunk never makes it ok to kill! I sure hope she can live with herself, as our family has been handed a life sentence due to her!
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