A Northern California man was sentenced Friday, Feb. 20 to two years in prison for a hit-and-run crash in Long Beach that injured a 78-year-old woman, who died nine days later.<\/p>\n
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge James D. Otto imposed the term on Mario Jesus Escobar Acosta, 59, of Woodland, who pleaded no contest Jan. 30 to a felony count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death or serious injury.<\/p>\n
The case stemmed from a Dec. 26, 2024, crash after he ran a red light at the intersection of California Avenue and San Antonio Drive, authorities said. Acosta then fled the scene of the crash, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n
Nikki Rash died on Jan. 4, 2025, as a result of her injuries.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo years in jail is not enough punishment for what you have done,\u201d the victim\u2019s husband, Foster Rash, told the defendant. \u201c\u2026 Now Nikki is dead because of your reckless driving.\u201d<\/p>\n
The widower held up a photo of his wife in the Long Beach courtroom and asked if Acosta wanted to \u201ctake a look at the woman you killed,\u201d and then said he didn\u2019t expect that he would, as the defendant looked straight ahead.<\/p>\n
The victim\u2019s husband called her \u201ca blessing\u201d and said she was active in volunteering at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center \u2014 the hospital where she died \u2014 and for Southern California Labrador Retriever Rescue.<\/p>\n
The woman\u2019s sister, Judith McCaughey, said she was in court to \u201csee the person who took a wife, a mother, a grandmother and a sister.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just here to see what\u2019s going to happen,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Andrew Lesser, the president of Southern California Labrador Retriever Rescue, described the victim as \u201cone of the most active volunteers we have ever had.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026 I hope you never do this to anybody again, sir,\u201d he told the defendant.<\/p>\n
The judge told the victim\u2019s family members and friends that he was sorry for their loss.<\/p>\n
Acosta was arrested Jan. 26 by the U.S. Marshals Service in Sacramento and has remained behind bars since then.<\/p>\n
In a statement released shortly after the defendant\u2019s sentencing, District Attorney Nathan Hochman extended his condolences to the woman\u2019s family and friends.<\/p>\n
\u201cRunning a red light is extremely dangerous and leaving the scene of a crash is unconscionable. Even when injuries are not immediately apparent, drivers have a legal and moral obligation to remain at the scene and ensure others are safe,\u201d the district attorney said. \u201cOur office will continue to hold accountable those who compound tragedy by trying to escape the consequences of their actions.\u201d<\/p>\n
A second count \u2014 misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter \u2014 was dismissed as a result of the plea deal.<\/p>\n
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