Greater Orange News Service

SPECIAL REPORT
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Steve Ambriz Killer Sara Lyn Ward
Sentenced to 10 years

Sara Lynn Ward was sentenced today to the maximum 10 years in prison after pleading guilty May 11th 2007 to gross vehicular manslaughter in the head on collision death of Orange Council Member Steve Ambriz. Ward was given credit for the time she has spent in jail amounting close to two years. Ward will not be eligible for parole for at least three years. The Orange County District Attorney’s office had asked for the maximum 10 year sentence.

On May 26th 2006 Ward’s pick-up truck struck Ambriz’s car head-on while she was swerving and driving erratically on Santiago Canyon Road while under the influence of methamphetamines. Ward also had marijuana in her pick-up.

In the courtroom audience was longtime Ambriz friend Orange Assembly Member Todd Spitzer. Spitzer introduced two bills in response to the tragic circumstances surrounding Ambriz’s death. The first, AB 303 would make gross vehicular manslaughter a violent crime. The second bill known as the Steve Ambriz Act (AB 808) closes a loophole in the law that currently makes it difficult to charge drivers involved in fatal drunk driving cases with murder. The bill would require a declaration be signed by all drivers in the state acknowledging they have been warned about the dangers of driving under the influence and they understand if they are involved in a fatal accident while driving under the influence they can be charged with murder.

To view KNBC Video of Steve Ambriz widow Bridget Ambriz CLICK ON:
KNBC Ambriz Video


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