Single mother, a correctional officer, killed in DUI crash on her way to pick up daughter

Santa Rosa - A man with a history of DUI convictions was charged Monday with murder in a crash in Santa Rosa that killed a single mother who worked as a juvenile correctional officer.

Nhan Van Nguyen, 68, was also charged by Sonoma County prosecutors with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI and driving without a license in the collision that killed Jessica Avila Munoz, 31.

Munoz was heading to pick up her 13-year-old daughter from school at about 1:35 p.m. Friday when her Honda was struck by a Dodge Dakota truck.

Nguyen ran a red light at Sebastopol Road and Lombardi Court and was intoxicated, said Santa Rosa police Sgt. Patricia Seffens.

"The whole situation is absolutely tragic," Seffens said.    

Witnesses said Munoz was unconscious and trapped in the car after the crash. She died after being taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Police confirmed that Nguyen had been arrested four times for DUI and had previously had his license suspended. His license was expired at the time of the crash.

Nguyen is currently being held in Sonoma County Jail on no bail status according to arrest records. 

"Jessica was a dedicated and caring single mother, who was known as full of life. She was proud to serve as a peace officer for the Sonoma County Probation Department in Juvenile Hall and excited to begin her career in Criminal Justice." -- PORAC

Munoz was born and raised in Sonoma County before she attended Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State University. She was a first generation college graduate, according to PORAC.

"The family was very proud of what she had accomplished through her education and then becoming a peace officer for Sonoma County probation," said PORAC board member Damian Evans, who is also president of the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Association, the union that represents county probation and correctional officers. 

Evans said Munoz began working at Juvenile Hall just 10 months ago and had just moved into a new home with her sister this month. 

"Sixteen days there and they haven’t even finished unpacking when I talked to the sister today, so it’s pretty traumatic to where they’re about to start their next journey," Evans said.

PORAC is raising funds to help cover Munoz's funeral costs and to support her family as they move forward. For more information on the fundraiser, please visit the PORAC website. 

A Gofundme has also been set up to help defray funeral expenses.

Henry Lee is a KTVU crime reporter. E-mail Henry at Henry.Lee@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @henrykleeKTVU and www.facebook.com/henrykleefan