Modesto Tragedy: 26-Year-Old Juliete Acostta Charged After DUI Crash Leaves 4-Year-Old Daughter to Drown in Canal—Community Reeling from Heartbreaking Loss
Modesto, CA – A heartbreaking and deeply disturbing tragedy has shaken the community of Stanislaus County after a 4-year-old girl drowned when her mother, Juliete Acostta, 26, allegedly drove her SUV into a canal while under the influence of alcohol and fled the scene, leaving her child behind.
The incident unfolded late Saturday night when emergency responders were dispatched to the scene of a vehicle submerged in a canal off a rural road near Modesto. When deputies from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department and local firefighters arrived, they discovered the SUV partially submerged in water. However, what they didn’t find initially was the driver or any passengers.
Shortly after, investigators were able to identify Juliete Acostta as the registered owner of the vehicle. Witnesses told officers they had seen a woman fleeing the scene on foot after the crash. A search effort was quickly launched to locate anyone who might have still been in the vehicle. Tragically, divers recovered the body of Acostta’s 4-year-old daughter from the water hours later.
Authorities allege that Acostta had been intoxicated at the time of the crash and failed to report the accident or seek help for her daughter. She was apprehended a short time later and taken into custody. Toxicology reports are pending, but officials stated there was enough evidence to warrant multiple charges, including felony DUI, vehicular manslaughter, child endangerment, and hit-and-run resulting in death.
“This is an unthinkable loss and an act of negligence that resulted in the death of an innocent child,” said a spokesperson for the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office. “We will pursue justice for this young girl and ensure that accountability is served.”
The community has responded with shock and sorrow. A small memorial of flowers and stuffed animals has begun to grow near the crash site as residents struggle to comprehend the devastating loss. Friends and family of the little girl, whose name has not yet been released to the public, described her as sweet, joyful, and full of promise.
“This little girl had her whole life ahead of her,” said a neighbor. “It’s hard to believe something so tragic could happen like this. We are heartbroken.”
Authorities continue to investigate the events leading up to the crash. The Department of Child and Family Services is also involved and looking into the family’s history.
Juliete Acostta remains in custody without bail and is scheduled to make her first court appearance later this week.
As the legal proceedings begin, the Modesto community mourns the heartbreaking loss of a child and reflects on the preventable nature of this tragedy. Efforts are already underway by local leaders to promote greater awareness about the dangers of impaired driving, especially with children in the vehicle.