A woman of Indian descent living in Georgia has been sentenced to seven years in prison for causing a fatal accident that claimed the life of Omar Ortiz, a young Cuban father who had arrived in the United States just days before the tragic incident. The case deeply affected his family in Cuba and the Cuban community abroad.
Sonal Nandkishor Patel, aged 40, pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, as reported by local news outlet Shore News Network.
According to the Gwinnett County District Attorney's office, Patel is required to serve seven years in a state prison and will face an additional 18 years of probation upon release.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The accident occurred in February 2024 on Interstate 85. Investigations revealed that Patel had not slept for two days, consumed alcohol, Trazodone—a medication prescribed for anxiety and depression—and had cocaine in her vehicle. Furthermore, she was driving with a suspended license.
In her impaired state, Patel stopped in the middle of the highway and fell asleep at the wheel. The car carrying Omar Ortiz, driven by a relative named Leticia Almaguer, collided with Patel's stationary vehicle, resulting in Omar's immediate death.
Body camera footage from officers on the scene showed Patel proclaiming she was "fine" even after the crash, while Ortiz's family was left devastated.
Lingering Legal and Personal Impacts
Patel had a prior record for driving under the influence in 2007 and was released on bail twice during the legal process, a decision that outraged the young Cuban's family. "We are deeply disappointed... she is a repeat offender," lamented Karina Deochand, the family's attorney, in statements to local media.
A Hopeful Journey Cut Short
Omar Ortiz arrived in the U.S. under humanitarian parole on January 28, 2024, only to lose his life the following day while being taken out to dinner by his wife’s relatives to celebrate his arrival.
Following the accident, his family in Cuba launched a desperate fundraising effort to repatriate his body. His stepmother, Diana Pérez, appealed for help: "Here in Cuba, there is a shattered family (children), friends."
His wife, Maylin Rodríguez, also pleaded for assistance: "We are heartbroken... every little bit helps."
Leticia Almaguer, who was with Omar at the time of the accident, shared that he had arrived "with the hope of building a better future for his two children."
Friends and relatives expressed their sorrow as well. "Brother, friend, father... we will always keep you in our hearts," one of them wrote after the tragedy.
Legal and Emotional Aftermath of Fatal Accident
What charges was Sonal Nandkishor Patel convicted of?
Sonal Nandkishor Patel pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
How did the accident that killed Omar Ortiz occur?
Patel stopped her vehicle in the middle of Interstate 85 and fell asleep at the wheel, resulting in a collision with a vehicle carrying Omar Ortiz, who died instantly.
What was the community's reaction to the legal proceedings?
The decision to grant Patel bail during the legal process sparked outrage among Ortiz's family and friends, given her history of DUI offenses.