Charges Upgraded to Murder for Napa Woman Whose Children Died In Alleged DUI Crash

Yesica Barajas, a 31-year-old Napa woman, has been charged with second-degree murder after her two children were killed in a March DUI crash. The incident occurred on March 16 when Barajas was driving a 2006 Nissan sedan that struck a tree on Highway 29. Reports indicate she was speeding and under the influence of substances, with officers at the scene noting the smell of marijuana and finding multiple cannabis vape cartridges in the vehicle. Her children, a 9-year-old girl named Aalliyah and a 10-year-old boy named Damien, were in the backseat and did not survive the crash. Initially facing charges of vehicular manslaughter and child abuse, Barajas's charges were elevated to second-degree murder following a recent court appearance.

She has remained in custody since the incident, with bail set at $1. 5 million. The court has not publicly stated the rationale behind the upgraded charges. The tragic event has drawn significant attention and raises concerns about the impact of DUI incidents on families.