Rohnert Park Woman Jailed In Daughters' Drowning Deaths Petitions For Release

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A hearing is scheduled Thursday on the custody status of a Rohnert Park woman charged with felony gross vehicular manslaughter and child endangerment of her two young daughters who drowned when her car drove into the Petaluma River last year. Alejandra Hernandez-Ruiz, 27, pleaded not guilty Friday and was booked into Sonoma County Jail under $500,000 bail.

Tuesday morning, Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Jamie Thistlethwaite scheduled the custody hearing for Hernandez-Ruiz after meeting with attorneys in her chambers.

After the hearing attended by two dozen friends and family members this morning, defense attorney Izaak Schwaiger said Hernandez-Ruiz was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and was undergoing treatment before her arrest.

The judge scheduled the hearing to determine whether Hernandez-Ruiz is able to receive treatment and medications in the jail or should be released.

A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for Oct. 4.

Hernandez-Ruiz was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Impala north on Petaluma Boulevard North around 8 a.m. on Aug. 31, 2016, when the car drifted to the center median, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The Impala then swerved to the right, crossed all traffic lanes, went down an embankment and overturned in the Petaluma River, CHP officials said.

The car sank and a witness found Hernandez-Ruiz standing on top of the Impala. She said her daughters were still in the car but the witness was unable to get into the submerged vehicle, CHP officials said.

The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office identified the sisters as Delilah, 9, and Sayra Gonzalez, 7.

Hernandez-Ruiz was unlicensed, according to the CHP. She also is charged with misdemeanor driving on a suspended or revoked license and inflicting great bodily injury.

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By Bay City News Service

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