Brown County woman sentenced to prison for 2023 crash that killed a father and severely injured his son
(WFRV) – The woman who was charged with homicide after driving drunk and crashing into a vehicle that killed a man and left his son severely injured was sentenced to prison on Friday.
49-year-old Paula Mejia was sentenced to eight years in prison and 14 years of extended supervision for driving drunk and killing a man and severely injuring his son.
Family members identified the victim as Bryan Bender of Hortonville during the sentencing hearing. They said he was a family man through and through and loved coaching his son’s baseball team.
They tried to sum up how losing him in the drunk driving crash has impacted their family.
“Every upcoming event in our lives will be forever tinted with sadness because Bryan isn’t here and Paula is responsible for that,” said Bryan’s wife Jessica Bender.
After the crash, Mejia asked if a lawyer could help her avoid getting her blood drawn to see if she was intoxicated. Some of Bender’s family members said they believe this is evidence that she wasn’t holding herself accountable.
During the sentencing Mejia, said she was sorry for her actions.
“I am so sorry for the immeasurable pain and devastation that I have caused to so many people,” she said in court. “I am so sorry for my actions, my choices, I know that I caused this tragic event.”
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Back on April 12, 2023, authorities were sent to French Road for a report of a crash involving two vehicles. Mejia was reportedly trapped in her vehicle and was removed.
The driver of the other vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene and his son was described as ‘crushed’ between the dashboard and seat.
Witnesses at the scene said Mejia was at a work party and was seen drinking between 4:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
“This experience has forever changed me all this pain I caused is crushing and I will carry it with me always,” said Mejia in court.
Friends and family members described Mejia as a good person who loved her children who made an awful mistake.
“Paula has always done what needs to be done she’s a caretaker, she takes care of people,” said Constance Fallucca. “I see someone who has a profound sense of sorrow and regret and I think it’s almost crippling.”
“Her entire adult life has been spent in routine and order, she worked so hard to build a successful career,” said her sister-in-law Tiffany. “Her hard work and sacrifice supported her family.”
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Judge John Zakowski said he considered Mejia’s clean record and the testimony from her friends and family when making his sentencing decision. However, he said he also needed to weigh the impact of her crime on the victim’s family.
“You’re a thief, you didn’t have to do this,” the judge told Mejia during sentencing. “You took all of this away from that family, all of this away from the community.”
Mejia was charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle. She plead no contest back in April.
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