A 22-year-old woman has been convicted of gross vehicular manslaughter after she allegedly struck and killed a 60-year-old man who was crossing the street with his wife following their anniversary dinner, then fled the scene leaving him to die. Stanley Isaacs suffered catastrophic injuries, described in court as an "internal decapitation," while the driver, Sysillia Kianna Morrison Montes De Oca, initially failed to stop.
Background
The incident occurred shortly after 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 11, 2022, in Laguna Beach, California. Isaacs and his wife had just finished a meal at a nearby restaurant to celebrate their anniversary. As the couple crossed the street, Montes De Oca, then 18, was driving a Volkswagen Jetta and allegedly slammed into them. Isaacs was pronounced dead at the scene, while his wife survived but sustained injuries.
According to courtroom reports from the Orange County Register, the impact was devastating. Isaacs suffered an internal decapitation, a skull fracture, a snapped spine, and "smashed ribs." While the victim lay on the street, Montes De Oca reportedly did not stop to render aid. Instead, she continued driving away from the crash site.
The Charges
Montes De Oca was charged with gross vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run with serious injury, and failing to stop at a hit-and-run. Prosecutors argued that the driver’s actions went beyond a simple traffic violation. Deputy District Attorney Justin Kim told jurors that "it was not an ordinary mistake," highlighting that Montes De Oca had reportedly smoked marijuana earlier in the day and had told passengers in her vehicle that she was speeding up moments before the collision.
Evidence presented during the trial indicated that after fleeing the scene, Montes De Oca searched for news stories regarding fatal hit-and-run crashes. She also reportedly returned to the intersection but did not turn herself in immediately. Instead, she had a friend hide the vehicle. She eventually surrendered to police approximately two weeks after the incident.
During closing arguments, the defense attorney contended that Montes De Oca panicked after the crash and left the scene at the urging of her friends. The defense emphasized that she did eventually turn herself in and noted that it was never definitively established exactly how fast the vehicle was traveling at the moment of impact.
Key Takeaways
- Sysillia Kianna Morrison Montes De Oca was convicted of gross vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run with serious injury, and failing to stop at a hit-and-run.
- Victim Stanley Isaacs, 60, suffered an internal decapitation, skull fracture, snapped spine, and smashed ribs.
- The crash occurred in Laguna Beach, California, on Aug. 11, 2022, after Isaacs and his wife finished their anniversary dinner.
- Montes De Oca allegedly smoked marijuana earlier in the day and told passengers she was speeding before the crash.
- The driver fled the scene, hid the car with a friend's help, and turned herself in two weeks later.
- Isaacs' wife survived the collision but sustained injuries.
What's Next
Montes De Oca is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 13. The conviction marks the legal resolution of the criminal charges stemming from the fatal hit-and-run, though the family of Stanley Isaacs continues to mourn the loss of a man described by his stepdaughter as "unforgettable" and "one of a kind."
- Sentencing hearing scheduled for Nov. 13.
- Family seeks closure following the loss of Stanley Isaacs.