x
Breaking News
More () »

Mom charged in DUI crash leaves her toddler with critical injuries, prosecutors say

Ayneisha Frazier faces more than 13 years behind bars if convicted on all charges.

CHULA VISTA, Calif. — A 26-year-old woman accused in a crash that left her three-year-old daughter with critical injuries was arraigned Friday.

Ayneisha Frazier pleaded not guilty to three felony charges with great bodily injury allegations attached to each one. According to the prosecutor, Frazier’s blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit.

"She is a danger to the public," said Deputy District Attorney Mary Loeb.

Frazier often kept her head down in court as Loeb detailed the crash before the judge.

According to investigators, Frazier was driving with her toddler just before midnight on May 7 when she sped through a red light at the intersection of East Palomar Street and Brandywine Avenue, crashing into another car with three people inside.

They were all transported with various injuries.

Meanwhile, Frazier's daughter suffered critical injuries after her car seat flipped over into the middle console.

"Before police arrived, the defendant was seen attempting to remove the three-year-old victim from her car and handing her child to a bystander while she looked for her phone to call someone to pick her up and take her away from the scene," said Loeb.

The toddler is currently at Rady Children's Hospital.

Loeb says she had surgery Friday morning to reduce brain swelling and is unable to breathe on her own.

As for Frazier, Loeb says she does not have a driver's license and was so combative at the scene, police couldn't give her a field sobriety test.

When they did about 90 minutes later, her blood alcohol level came back at .23. Marijuana was also detected in her system.

Loeb argued for no bail saying Frazier is a danger to the public.

Meanwhile, her defense attorney asked that bail be set at $100,000, telling the judge Frazier is a working mom with no criminal background.

Superior Court Judge Garry Haehnle sided with the prosecution, saying Frazier is a danger to the community.

"I don't trust her," Haehnle said. "This woman who we've had hundreds of years of proof by now of the dangers of drinking and driving. If she wants to go out and drink and drive by herself, that’s fine, but you don't put a child in that situation."

If convicted on all charges, Frazier faces more than 13 years behind bars.

A bail hearing is scheduled for May 14.

WATCH RELATED: Loved ones hold vigil for teen boy killed in alleged DUI crash

Before You Leave, Check This Out