A California woman accused of causing a deadly crash that killed a married couple after a St. Patrick’s Day celebration allegedly admitted she had been drinking before getting behind the wheel — though she insisted it was only one alcoholic beverage.
According to the New York Post, Anabell Correa is facing multiple felony charges in connection with the March crash in Bakersfield that claimed the lives of Desiree and Max Mooney.
Court documents obtained by Bakersfield Now state Correa allegedly told officers after the wreck, “I drank one Twisted Tea, bro.”
Authorities said the Mooneys were riding home after spending the evening celebrating St. Patrick’s Day when the collision occurred.
The couple’s friend, Tayler Wells, was also inside the vehicle and survived the crash but suffered devastating injuries. Reports said Wells lost teeth, sustained broken bones throughout her body, and had to relearn how to walk during recovery.
The rideshare driver transporting the group also survived but reportedly suffered a fractured neck and bleeding on the brain.
Desiree Mooney had celebrated her 30th birthday only months before the fatal crash, according to a GoFundMe page established to help her family with funeral expenses.
“Several families lost their children that day, and while some will recover the void of the loss of Desiree and Max will be felt forever,” the fundraiser stated.
The page has raised more than $20,000.
In February, a Kern County judge ruled prosecutors had presented enough evidence to move the case forward.
Investigators allege Correa was driving without a valid license and had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.088%, slightly above California’s legal limit of 0.080%, according to Bakersfield Now.
The 22-year-old now faces 10 criminal charges, including two counts of murder.
She has pleaded not guilty and remains behind bars without bail while awaiting trial, which is scheduled to begin in late August.
The case has already sparked emotional courtroom scenes.
In March, a male relative of Correa was arrested after allegedly shouting “Love you, Anabell” toward her during a court hearing despite warnings to remain silent.
Correa’s attorney has argued the case should be treated as manslaughter rather than murder, claiming she had no prior criminal history before the crash.
Prosecutors, however, reportedly introduced evidence showing Correa acknowledged the dangers of drunk driving before the deadly collision.
