Mother pleads not guilty to murder charges in Napa crash that killed her 2 children
A Napa mother pleaded not guilty Tuesday to second-degree murder charges that were filed in July, which prosecutors added to earlier counts stemming from a crash that killed her two children.
Yesica Barajas, 31, entered her plea before Napa County Judge Elia Ortiz, who set her next court appearance for Oct. 2 to schedule a preliminary hearing, according to court records. Jail logs show Barajas remains in custody at the Napa County jail without bail.
The District Attorney’s Office first charged her with vehicular manslaughter and child abuse in the March 16 crash that killed her son, Damian Montanez, 10, and daughter, Aaliyah Montanez, 9. She initially pleaded not guilty May 6. Prosecutors later upgraded the charges July 15.
Authorities say Barajas was driving a 2006 Nissan Maxima around 4 a.m. March 16 when she veered off the Highway 29 offramp at West Imola Avenue and struck a tree. The California Highway Patrol initially reported the crash had happened the next morning, but prosecutors later clarified it occurred hours earlier and wasn’t discovered until about 7:30 a.m. Both children died at the scene.
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In court, Deputy District Attorney Katie Susemihl said Barajas consumed cannabis after work the afternoon of March 15, then drank alcohol while out with family. She returned home in the early morning hours, left again with her children around 4 a.m., and crashed shortly afterward.
According to the arrest report, Barajas suffered cuts to her face and a serious knee injury. A responding officer noted she appeared confused, with red, watery eyes and smelling of cannabis. Investigators found cannabis cartridges and a vape pen inside the car.
Roughly 90 minutes after the crash, Barajas took two Breathalyzer tests that registered blood alcohol levels of 0.027% and 0.026% — both below the state’s 0.08% legal limit. Prosecutors emphasized the tests came well after she was believed to have been drinking.
Her attorney sought her release in April, citing family support and her willingness to comply with court orders. Prosecutors objected, pointing out she had been with the same relatives in the hours before the crash.