'I deserve everything that comes my way': Woman gets 15 years to life in Highway 58 collision killing recent retiree
Jul. 21—After watching his decades-long wife die, Craig Rodrigue of San Ramon felt a presence urging him to walk along Kern County's Highway 58 in the pitch black.
Rodrigue began walking with a friend, holding a flashlight, and came across a family picture of their children at Christmas many years ago. Craig and his wife, Michele Rodrigue, were driving in separate cars west of General Beale Road in June 2022 when Ayana Council, 28, accelerated forward from a dirt median and struck Michele's car. Michele's car flipped and her life's belongings, including the photo Craig found several hours later, were strewn across the lanes.
The Rodrigues were driving through Kern to their dream home in Las Vegas when the collision happened, ruining the couple's retirement. Council was sentenced Friday to 15 years to life in prison after a jury convicted her of second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence causing bodily injury and driving the wrong way on the highway.
But a photo of their kids wasn't the only cherished keepsake Craig found that day. A presence kept prodding him to keep going and then he finally stumbled across a green Samsonite suitcase filled with his wife's most treasured possessions.
Michele was with him that day — telling her husband to keep walking so he could retrieve the luggage, Craig said during his victim impact statements before Council was sentenced in Kern County Superior Court.
Friday's hearing was extremely emotional, with at least six loved ones speaking on behalf of Michele Rodrigue and Council.
Michele's three kids remembered their beautiful mom and how she was filled with life. The three kids and Craig said they forgive Council. More than 500 people came to her funeral service, showing just the impact that Rodrigue had on the San Ramon community.
"She just drew people to her," Craig said.
Natalie Rodrigue, the daughter of Michele, noted how her mother was the sun. With her gone, Natalie feels cold.
