Teen who allegedly live-streamed deadly car crash denied lower bail
— -- A California teenager accused of driving under the influence and causing a deadly car crash while livestreaming on social media will remain behind bars after a judge on Friday refused to lower her bail.
Obdulia Sanchez, 18, of Stockton, California, stood before a Merced County judge on Friday, wiping away tears as her defense attorney asked that she either be released or her bail be reduced from $560,000. Ramnik Samrao, a public defender, said he believes the bail amount is "excessive" considering the teen spent the past few years in foster care living in a group home and has no way of raising that amount of money, according to ABC Fresno affiliate KFSN-TV.
"The family is behind her being released, they're not mad at her. They don't blame her. The surviving passenger, Manuela, made a public statement that she's not mad at her -- she's not afraid of her," Samrao said.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Sanchez was driving on July 21 in Los Banos, about 80 miles southeast of San Jose, when the car went through a barbed wire fence and overturned in a field, ejecting the two passengers.
The passengers were both 14 years old and were not wearing seat belts; one was killed and the other has a major injury, the highway patrol said.
KFSN reported that Sanchez was livestreaming video on Instagram when the crash occurred. Video before the crash shows her singing and dancing along to music as she drives.
In live video following the crash, Sanchez references the victim as her sister.
"I ------- killed my sister," Sanchez says in the video, according to KFSN. "I know I’m going to jail for life. ... I don't ------- care at all."
Chuck Mosley, commander of the highway patrol in Los Banos, confirmed the authenticity of the video obtained by KFSN. He told ABC News, "We do know she was livestreaming via social media at the time of the collision."
The highway patrol said alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash.
Sanchez was arrested and booked at the Merced County Jail, where she is being held on charges of DUI alcohol/drugs causing bodily injury and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
According to KFSN, Sanchez has pleaded not guilty to six felony charges. She is scheduled to appear in court in August.
