Drunk Driver Who Killed Mom With Kids In Car Gets Time In VA State Prison

Ronal Eriberto Guillen, was sentenced by Prince William Circuit Court judge Kimberly A. Irving to 20 years behind bars, 10 of which are suspended, Virginia Commonwealth Attorney Amy Ashford said.

Giullen previously pleaded guilty to aggravated involuntary DWO manslaughter. 

Lataja Wilkins was on her to drop her two kids off at her mom's house before going to work early Oct. 22, 2020, when Guillen — who had been drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana before leaving a friend's house — turned left from Glendale Drive onto Springwoods Drive, authorities said.

Guillen made a left from Glendale Drive onto Springwoods Drive, where he crossed over the grassy center median and traveled over 900 feet in the wrong direction, heading south in the northbound lanes of Springwoods Drive.

Eventually, Guillen struck the vehicle Wilkins was driving head-on.

Testing later confirmed the defendant’s blood alcohol content to be 0.15g/210L of breath — nearly twice the legal limit. 

All three individuals, including the children in Wilkins’ vehicle, sustained injuries as a result of the head-on crash. Wilkins died on the way to the hospital.

The matter was prosecuted by Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Sarah Sami and Deputy Chief of Staff Kevin L. Leahy.

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