McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An Edinburg woman was sentenced to 10 years of probation in connection to a deadly crash last year.
Angela Mia Villarreal was sentenced to 10 years of probation with 120 days in state jail after pleading guilty to a charge of intoxication manslaughter.
Many took to social media to share their thoughts following her sentence. ValleyCentral spoke with Hidalgo County District Attorney Terry Palacios to get more details on her sentencing.
Palacios clarified that the state of Texas did not recommend the probationary sentence, but instead recommended 20 years in state jail, the maximum penalty. However, he knew that probation was a possibility.
“If you’re a first time offender, even though you did cause a death in an intoxication manslaughter, you’re entitled to probation,” Palacios said.
Though the state had a different recommendation, Palacios said that does not mean there was any misconduct on the judge’s part.
“They have a right to plead in front of a court and the judge has the right to determine the full range of punishment,” he said.
Though Villarreal will be out on probation, Palacios noted that she must still serve 120 days in jail, and that her probation is subject to being revoked if the conditions of her supervision are not met.
According to the State Bar of Texas website, Villarreal is eligible to practice law in Texas and works at the law office of Reynaldo Ortiz.
At 11:52 p.m., May 5, 2022, McAllen police officers were dispatched to the 9700 block of N. 10 Street in reference to an accident.
According to previous ValleyCentral reports, the victim’s vehicle was rear-ended by Villarreal. The victim, identified as 62-year-old Augustin Molina Uribe of Edinburg, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Villarreal was placed under arrest after she was suspected of being under the influence at the time of the crash.
