Rebecca Sandoval high on nitrous oxide killed teacher Lompoc Ca. 051914

Re: People v. Rebecca Cristal Sandoval

SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA –01/01/2016 —  Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce E. Dudley announced on Dec. 30, 2015, that Rebecca Cristal Sandoval pled guilty to Gross Vehicular Manslaughter while intoxicated in the death of Linda Jeanne Wall, of Buellton. She also pled guilty to driving while under the influence of a drug causing injury to another and admitted the special allegation of personally inflicting great bodily injury to another. Additionally, she plead guilty to driving while under the influence of a drug from a separate incident.

On December 19, 2013, Mrs. Wall was waiting behind a vehicle being driven by Simona Mikusova, who was stopped at a red light. Sandoval, while driving under the influence of Nitrous Oxide, failed to stop and collided with Mrs. Wall’s vehicle. The result was Mrs. Wall’s vehicle made contact with the vehicle driven by Ms. Mikusova. Mrs. Wall then suffered fatal injuries while Ms. Mikusova and her passenger were also injured.

In a separate incident, on July 11, 2013, while Sandoval was driving under the influence of Nitrous Oxide and Lorazepam, she collided with two parked vehicles.

Santa Barbara County Calif District Attorney Joyce Dudley

In response to these criminal acts, District Attorney Dudley stated, “This case is yet another heartbreaking reminder that driving under the influence of any intoxicant, including legal drugs and prescription medications, can have fatal consequences and destroy many lives. Mrs. Wall’s death has continued to have a devastating effect on her adoring family, friends, and our community. ”

The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the California Highway Patrol for their hard work and thorough investigation in both cases.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20, 2016 before the Honorable Judge Gustavo Lavayen, who is expected to sentence Sandoval to nearly 14 years in prison.