PARADISE, Calif. – 33-year-old Martina Marie Garcia of Paradise is being charged with a hate crime along with DUI and assault costs stemming from a Mar. 30, 2021 incident, Butte County District Lawyer Michael Ramsey mentioned on Saturday.
Garcia made “racially derogatory slurs as she drove her car towards an African American visitors flagger,” in accordance with Ramsey.
The D.A. mentioned Garcia is “alleged to have pushed her Ford Explorer SUV north by means of a traffic-controlled work zone within the 5700 block of Scottwood Street in Paradise at roughly 40-50 miles per hour whereas staff have been current making an attempt to clear bushes.” Ramsey mentioned the realm has a velocity restrict of 25 mph.
Ramsey mentioned the visitors management flagger was holding a “sluggish” signal as Garcia sped by means of the work zone “with a beer to her mouth” whereas “making an obscene gesture.” Ramsey mentioned different staff noticed a passenger within the entrance seat making the same gesture. That man, mentioned Ramsey, was later recognized as Garcia’s brother.
The District Lawyer defined that staff have claimed that Garcia returned a couple of minutes later driving the opposite path in the identical car. He mentioned this time the flagger was holding a “cease” signal.
Ramsey mentioned the flagger needed to soar out of the best way to keep away from being struck by Garcia as staff declare she accelerated to 50-60 mph and swerved her car on the flagger, all whereas yelling racial epithets at him.
The D.A. mentioned one other member of the work crew known as 9-1-1 after which adopted Garcia to her dwelling. He mentioned Paradise police arrived and arrested Garcia for driving underneath the affect and assault.
Ramsey mentioned Garcia’s brother, 43-year-old Antonia Burgos, was arrested for being drunk in public and for violating his parole, which concerned alcohol use.
The D.A. added the hate crime allegation after “police reviews got here in and it appeared the assault was motived by hate directed at a minority.”
Ramsey defined that if Garcia is discovered responsible of the hate crime allegation an extra three years of state jail time might be added to her sentence.
She faces as much as 4 years of state jail time for the assault with out the hate crime allegation, he defined.
Garcia was arraigned in Butte County Superior Court docket on Friday and can return once more on April 7, 2021, at 8:30 a.m. for additional arraignment and entry of her plea. Ramsey mentioned she was launched on $55,000 bail.
