BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) \u2014 The family of a 6-year-old girl killed in a suspected DUI crash last year sat through an emotional preliminary hearing Thursday as investigators detailed the collision that claimed her life.<\/p>\n
Jacqueline Del Toro, the mother of Azmeret Mayall, listened as prosecutors presented evidence against 20-year-old Cesar Magana-Mendoza, who is charged with murder and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.<\/p>\n
“I like to say that I’m okay, but I know deep down there’s not really any coming back from this tragedy in our family,” Del Toro said after the hearing.<\/p>\n
Investigators testified that Magana-Mendoza had a blood alcohol content of 0.255 on the morning of the crash last September.<\/p>\n
Security video shown in court captured Magana-Mendoza’s sedan speeding down Panama Lane before colliding with a Toyota Camry. The crash injured the Camry’s driver and two passengers, including an infant and the 6-year-old.<\/p>\n
“It was a shock,” Del Toro said. “It was another punch in the gut. That’s our reality, and that’s what happened.”<\/p>\n
Mayall was taken to a hospital, where she died the following day.<\/p>\n
During the hearing, prosecutors argued Magana-Mendoza understood the dangers of drinking and driving, citing text messages, previous traffic citations and evidence of underage drinking.<\/p>\n
Following testimony, the judge found there was sufficient evidence to hold Magana-Mendoza to answer on charges of murder and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.<\/p>\n
“It gives us more hope than what we’ve had for sure that justice is going to be served,” Del Toro said.<\/p>\n
Del Toro said her family remains committed to honoring her daughter’s memory.<\/p>\n
“We want everyone to know that she meant a lot to us and to anyone she met,” Del Toro said. “I don’t want her name to be forgotten.”<\/p>\n
Magana-Mendoza remains in custody and is scheduled to return to court for arraignment on July 14.<\/p>\n
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