Gwinnett County, Georgia, USA: A 40-year-old woman of Indian descent, Sonal Nandkishor Patel, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for a tragic accident that claimed the life of Omar Ortiz, a young father of two. The crash occurred in 2024 on Interstate 85 in Gwinnett County, Georgia.

According to court records, Patel admitted guilt to charges of vehicular homicide and driving under the influence (DUI). Investigators revealed that she had consumed alcohol and the prescription drug Trazodone and had not slept for nearly two days before the fatal incident.

Omar Ortiz, who had recently moved from Cuba to the United States in hopes of a better life for his children, was riding as a passenger in a car with his aunt-in-law when Patel’s vehicle crashed into their stationary car, killing him instantly.

Bodycam footage from responding officers showed Patel claiming she was fine at the scene. Authorities later discovered cocaine inside her vehicle, and it was also revealed that she was driving on a suspended license.

After her arrest, Patel was initially released on bond, which led to outrage from Ortiz’s family. Their attorney stated that Patel had a history of similar offenses.

Ultimately, Patel entered a guilty plea to homicide by vehicle and DUI. She received a 25-year sentence, with seven years to be served in prison and the remaining years under probation.