BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A DUI crash in southwest Bakersfield last year took the lives of a Bakersfield couple and now the accused drunk driver is going to trial on murder charges, and other DUI related offenses.
On Wednesday, Anabell Correa’s preliminary hearing revealed new investigative details including surveillance footage of the crash that took the lives of Max and Desiree Mooney in the early morning hours of March 16, 2025.
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Max and Desiree Mooney went out for a drink earlier that night. They called a Lyft to go home but they never made it. They were killed, by a suspected drunk driver.
Anabell Correa, 21, is charged with 10 counts including two second-degree murder charges.
She admitted to officers at the scene she drank two Twisted Teas and a blue BuzzBall — both popular alcoholic drinks.
In the preliminary hearing, it was revealed Correa’s blood tested for a alcohol-content of 0.093, just over the legal limit, and tested positive for THC, a component found in marijuana.
Correa was allegedly going 82 mph crossing the red light at Stockdale and Gosford. She and the vehicle were at approximately 73 mph at the time of impact, Bakersfield police officer Michael Reynolds testified.
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Data from Correa’s vehicle’s black box showed no steering wheel movement at the time of the crash. In the car with the Mooney’s — was their friend Tayler Wells and the Lyft driver. They both suffered severe injuries.
Wells’ suffered broken bones throughout the entire right side of her body. She lost two teeth and had to learn to walk again.
The driver’s worst injury was severe neck fracture near the base of the skull with bleeding in her brain.
Correa’s attorney Paul Brar argued that since Correa had no previous DUIs, she should be charged with vehicular manslaughter, not murder.
However, Correa made damning statements to officers that night.
“She said she would not drive drunk, because she knows that it is dangerous,” said officer Trent Alexander.
She even criticized her own actions and said she lost a family member to a drunk driver in 2022.
“She stated that her cousin was killed by a drunk driver, and that someone always dies when someone drives drunk,” said Alexander.
That kind of statement can help prove reckless disregard for human life, a key element of second degree murder. Correa was in tears as Judge John Brownlee gave his ruling to send her to trial on all counts including murder.
“I’m holding her to answer on counts one through ten as charged to all counts and enhancements,” Brownlee said.
Correa is due back in court on March 9.
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