Mom Allegedly Drove into Canal While Drunk, and Her 4-Year-Old Died After Being Trapped Inside Car

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Getty

Getty

Juliette Acosta, 26, of Oakdale, was traveling in her Subaru SUV at an unknown speed when it veered off the road and into an irrigation canal near the town of Hickman, Calif., at around 11 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, the California Highway Patrol said in a press release shared with PEOPLE. Acosta’s 4-year-old daughter was also inside the car.

According to the CHP, Acosta’s uncle, who lives in the area, responded to the scene after hearing the crash. The uncle was able to free Acosta while a Stanislaus County deputy helped the uncle pull the 4-year-old girl out of the submerged car.

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Acosta was arrested and booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on suspicion of felony DUI, the CHP said. It’s unclear if she has entered a plea or retained an attorney to speak on her behalf.

“The Modesto CHP would like to recognize the heroic efforts from the Stanislaus County Sheriff Deputy and family member on scene,” the release states. “Law enforcement officers take an oath to risk their own lives rather than swerve from  the path of duty. Although unharmed, this deputy did exactly that.”

source: people.com