A drunk driver who caused the death of her passenger after they left the Dixie Chicks concert at the Sleep Train Amphitheatre surrendered Tuesday to start her 1-year jail term.
Gabrielle Powers Jones, 34, had been free on $50,000 bond and was sentenced June 2 for the death of her friend, Kendra June Rakdham, 39, who was also known as Kendra Carpenter.
Jones was ordered not to drink alcohol on terms of five years probation by Chula Vista Superior Court Judge Francis Devaney.
Devaney also ordered her to “spread the word” about the dangers of drinking and driving to high schools and colleges as part of performing 200 hours of community service.
Jones told the judge she wished she had died instead of her friend. “I’ll never forgive myself,” she said.
“My best friend died, and I can’t undo that. This story needs to be shared, so this doesn’t keep happening,” said Jones.
The judge also ordered Jones to complete the first drunk driving conviction program, attend a Mothers Against Drunk Driving panel, and to attend Alcoholics Anonymous three times per week.
Every seat was filled during the two hour sentencing with the parents, brother, and friends of Rakdham as well as family and friends of Jones.
“Mother’s Day was horrible,” said Jo Ellyn Carpenter, the victim’s mother. “She didn’t deserve to die like that.”
“Kendra was such an amazing person,” said Brittany Cartwright, a friend. “The world really lost a great person that day.”
Devaney turned down the 6-year prison term request by Deputy District Attorney Laura Evans and the 5-year prison term recommended by the probation department. Jacob Carpenter, the victim’s brother, also asked for five years.
Jones pleaded guilty Feb. 24 to drunk driving with injury, and charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated were dismissed.
The incident occurred July 15, 2016 at 11:53 p.m. in the 4000 block of Main Street in Chula Vista. Jones struck an unmarked utility box on residential property as three lanes merged into two lanes.
Jones’ blood-alcohol level was .15 at the scene, which is nearly twice the legal limit. The utility box, which had no reflective materials, crumpled the front passenger seat area where Rakdham was seated.
Her attorney, Gretchen Von Helms, presented witness Everett Gant who said he once drove a charter bus with 58 passengers and nearly collided with a car after the third lane merged unexpectedly into the second lane.
Gant said he sent letters to the city of Chula Vista and Cal-Trans saying the area “was an accident waiting to happen.” Von Helms said the street area was very dark and the curb was invisible at night.
Both Von Helms and the prosecutor said the road has since been corrected.
Devaney told Von Helms he didn’t want to hear any more about the road conditions because Jones pleaded guilty to drunk driving with injury and the road had nothing to do with her consuming alcohol.
“She’s very obviously remorseful,” said Devaney, who added he didn’t think Jones would drink and drive again.
“State prison is a place for very, very bad people,” said Devaney. “Kendra would ask me to bend the staff of justice with mercy. I couldn’t imagine she would want me to send her friend to prison.”
Rakdham, of City Heights, was a social worker. Jones, of Normal Heights, is a former paramedic who recently worked inventory at a business.
Jones received credit for nine days previously spent in jail and was fined approximately $1,000.
Devaney set a status hearing for June 29 regarding restitution, and he wants to review Jones’ progress in 2018.
