A 28-year-old woman who killed two young men in a DUI crash in Hemet was sentenced Thursday to 30 years to life in state prison.
Last month, Faalele Rosemarie Patea of Moreno Valley admitted two counts of second-degree murder, as well as sentence-enhancing great bodily injury allegations, under a plea agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.
No charges were dismissed in the agreement, which Superior Court Judge Timothy Hollenhorst certified during the sentencing hearing at the Banning Justice Center, imposing the terms stipulated by the prosecution and defense.
Patea killed Beaumont residents Joshua Serquina and Kyle Towai, both 22, on May 1, 2019.
According to Hemet police Sgt. Dan Reinbolt, the victims’ Honda Civic was slowing for a red traffic signal on Florida Avenue at Warren Road when Patea approached from behind, traveling 100 mph in her Volkswagen Jetta, about 9 p.m.
Reinbolt said that the ex-con never slowed down, rear-ending the Honda and pushing it into another car.
Serquina and Towai suffered catastrophic injuries, and both were taken to Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley, where Serquina was pronounced dead on arrival. Towai survived on life support for two days before he succumbed to his injuries.
The parties in the third vehicle were not hurt, nor was Patea.
Reinbolt said that a field sobriety test conducted at the scene of the wreck confirmed Patea was under the influence.
According to court records, she has prior felony convictions for domestic violence and assault resulting in great bodily injury.