A grieving family offered forgiveness Wednesday afternoon in a Santa Maria courtroom during an emotional sentencing hearing for the woman who led law enforcement officers on a high-speed pursuit that ended with a crash and caused a Santa Barbara man’s death.
More than two months ago in Santa Barbara County Superior Court in Santa Maria, Dinara Arevalo, 30, pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and reckless driving with a special allegation of personally inflicting great bodily injury.
On Oct. 1, 2018, Arevalo led law enforcement officers on a pursuit from Lompoc to Highway 1, where speeds reached 100 mph before entering Highway 101 and traveling south until the crash on the Gaviota Coast.
The high-speed pursuit ended in a crash, injuring two Santa Barbara men, Michael D. Garcia, 58, and Brett J. Bronstad, then 60. Garcia died days later from his injuries.
Prior court proceedings revealed that Arevalo was in the middle of a mental health crisis and believed a police officer was the devil.
During the sentencing hearing Wednesday, pictures of a smiling Garcia, often surrounded by buddies, family or dogs, played in the courtroom.
The hearing included victim impact statements about the loss of Garcia, a father of two who had retired about two years earlier after working for 27 years for the City of Santa Barbara.
Describing herself as the epitome of a daddy’s girl, Jessica Garcia said her father “always kept me safe” and loved being a grandfather.
“I could never see a world or a life without my dad in it,” she added.
Since his home didn’t have a backyard, he spent most of his time in the front yard, barbecuing and offering plates of food to passersby.
“He was a very loving man,” his daughter said.
In the intensive care unit after the crash, he tried to calm loved ones, saying he just had whiplash and “I’ll be home soon.” Instead of worrying about himself, he expressed concerns about his dogs at home and his truck getting a ticket while parked on the street.
Her father’s death cheated his grandchildren out of creating memories, Jessica Garcia said.
“I’m lucky to have the memories I did. Unfortunately, my kids won’t have those memories,” Garcia said, adding that the family’s stories will keep her dad’s memory alive for his grandchildren. “Now, we all need to find a way to move on — never forget, but move on.
“I hope with this coming to a closure you can do the best with your life, too.”
More than once, she pleaded, “Just don’t forget my father.”
“I want you to go on and live life as best as you can, but I also want you to know I forgive you,” said Michelle Olivera, who called herself Garcia’s girlfriend.
Under the plea deal signed Dec. 19, both sides, Senior Deputy District Attorney Ann Bramsen and defense attorney Robert Sanger, agreed that Arevalo would not spend any time in state prison. The deal called for a maximum of five years of probation, with terms and conditions decided by the judge during a sentencing hearing.
Judge John McGregor sentenced Arevalo to five years of probation and ordered her to complete 400 hours of community service.
She also will participate in a residential treatment program and has applied to a program to earn a master’s degree in counseling psychology.
In a letter expressing her remorse, Arevalo said she wants to provide mental health support for others in distress and prevent tragedies.
“My objective is to help as many people as I can and partake in mental health advocacy,” adding that she has taken care of her own mental health “diligently and proactively.”
“Recovery and change are possible with the love and support of others. Broken people can save broken people,” she wrote.
The family’s forgiveness, which included exchanging hugs with the defendant and her family after the hearing, moved McGregor.
With 21 years as a judge and nearly the same amount of time as an attorney, McGregor remarked on observing what he called a “truly amazing moment at the end of my career.”