Woman arrested for DUI crash that killed a Santa Ana man back in 2016

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has arrested a woman for murder following a 2016 vehicle collision where she was found to be driving under the influence.

On Oct. 1, 2016, at approximately 2:15 a.m. Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputies and the Orange County Fire Authority responded to an injury traffic collision on eastbound Alton Pkwy between the 241 toll road and Towne Centre Drive in the city of Lake Forest.

Deputies located two involved vehicles, a Hyundai sedan and a Ford pickup with major damage. The male driver of the Ford pickup was identified as Jose Barrazasoto (12-29-75) of Santa Ana. Barrazasota was pronounced deceased at the scene. The female driver of the Hyundai sedan was identified as Jacie Cornish (8-30-93) of Foothill Ranch, who suffered minor injuries and was admitted to the hospital.

Based on Cornish’s objective symptoms of intoxication, a warrant was obtained for Cornish’s blood. Cornish had a prior DUI conviction in August 2015 in Orange County, making this case eligible for a “Watson Murder.” A Watson murder is where someone has been previously admonished about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and is later involved in a fatal collision while under the influence.

Over the course of the following year, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Major Accident Reconstruction Team completed a thorough investigation. The test results of Cornish’s blood were examined, and Cornish’s blood alcohol level showed her to be .17 percent, more than double the legal limit of .08 percent. Along with alcohol, traceable amounts of THC (Marijuana) were present at the time of the blood draw. Evidence also showed Cornish was traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour in a 40 zone at time of impact, causing Barrazasoto’s vehicle to roll, thus causing fatal injuries and injuring his spouse who was in the passenger seat.

On Jan. 12, 2018, the OC District Attorney filed the case and issued a 1 million dollar warrant for Cornish’s arrest for PC 187 (Murder). On Jan. 15, 2018, Cornish was arrested in the city of Orange on the outstanding warrant and was booked at the Orange County Jail. Cornish is facing 15 years-to-life in prison, if convicted.
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