SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Family members of a DUI crash victim shared emotional stories about their loss at the driver’s sentencing hearing Friday.
Lauren Freeman cried as statements were made about the Feb. 2018 crash in Ocean Beach. Prosecutors said Freeman drove the wrong way on a transition ramp between I-5 and I-8, crashing into Justin Callahan’s car.
“I'm Justin's father, he is buried next to his sister who died in 2005. So I think that there's a rule somewhere that children aren't supposed to die before the parents,” said Callahan’s father.
Callahan was headed home to Ocean Beach from his job in Chula Vista when he died.
RELATED: DUI driver pleads guilty to 2018 wrong-way crash on I-5 ramp
During the hearing, Freeman gave a tearful apology, saying she would do anything to change what happened that night. She also said she hopes Callahan’s family can one day find it in their hearts to forgive her.
Freeman pleaded guilty to several charges, including gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. She was originally charged with murder but that was dropped during a plea deal.
As part of her agreement, Freeman will serve 11 years, eight months in prison.
