SAN DIEGO – A woman who drove drunk and seriously injured a pedestrian in an Adams Avenue crosswalk, then fled the scene, was sentenced Wednesday to four years and four months in state prison.
Jessica Valenzuela, 28, pleaded guilty July 13 to driving under the influence of alcohol causing great bodily injury and hit-and-run.



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Valenzuela hit Joseph Thomas Wilson with her car on May 10, breaking both of Wilson's legs.
Witness Kristine Pandes testified at a May 25 preliminary hearing that she heard screeching tires about 7:30 p.m. just before Valenzuela's car hit the victim “pretty much head-on.”

Witness Cody Chadwick testified that he saw Valenzuela make a “really wide” right turn as she exited northbound Interstate 805 at Adams Avenue.

Chadwick said the defendant's green Honda Civic was going about 25 to 30 mph when it struck Wilson, who was walking in the crosswalk.

Valenzuela stopped for two or three seconds, then drove off, Chadwick testified.

Chadwick said he followed the suspect's car and, with the help of another witness, trapped Valenzuela's car on a nearby street.

San Diego police Officer James Zirpolo said Valenzuela told him she had downed four or five shots of Jagermeister, a liqueur, at a downtown bar between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Valenzuela's blood-alcohol level was measured at .17 percent after the accident, more than twice the legal limit, prosecutors said.

Zirpolo said Valenzuela was in no condition to drive a car safely.

Defense attorney Lei-Chala Wilson said Valenzuela became scared and fled after her car struck the victim.

Valenzuela was on probation for a petty theft conviction at the time of the collision, prosecutors said.

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