NAPA, CA — A Napa woman who crashed her car into a tree, killing her two children, had her bail reduced during a court hearing on Tuesday. Yesica Barajas, 31, is facing multiple charges, including gross vehicular manslaughter, child abuse, and driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol causing injury, following the fatal March 16 crash.
Prosecutors revealed new details about the tragic incident during a bail hearing at Napa County Superior Court, showing that the crash occurred much earlier than initially reported. While authorities initially indicated the crash took place around 7:30 a.m., Deputy District Attorney Katie Susemihl stated that investigators now believe it happened around 4:45 a.m. on the Highway 29 offramp at West Imola Avenue—nearly three hours before Barajas and her deceased children were discovered.
Barajas’ children, Damian Montanez, 10, and Aaliyah Montanez, 9, were pronounced dead at the scene. Barajas was found seriously injured, with cuts to her face and a knee injury. Authorities noted that she appeared confused and had bloodshot eyes, smelling of cannabis.
According to Susemihl, Barajas had been consuming cannabis and alcohol the night before, starting around 2 p.m. on March 15 after finishing work. She continued drinking into the early hours of March 16, before leaving home to pick up her children after a family emergency involving a relative. Susemihl said the crash occurred shortly after Barajas left home, and investigators believe it was the last thing she remembered before the accident.
Calls to Barajas’ phone went unanswered after the crash, and she did not attempt to call emergency services. Although Breathalyzer tests administered later that morning showed Barajas’ blood alcohol levels were below the legal limit, the tests were conducted well after the crash. Investigators also found cannabis cartridges and a vape pen inside her car.
Barajas was hospitalized following the crash and later incarcerated at the Napa County jail on March 24. Initially, her bail was set at $1.5 million due to the seriousness of the charges. However, during Tuesday’s hearing, her attorney, Robert Casper, requested a reduction, arguing that Barajas has been a long-time Napa resident with strong family support and would comply with any court-imposed conditions.
Judge Scott Young ultimately agreed to lower the bail to $500,000, which is considered more typical for the charges in question. Several conditions were imposed should Barajas be released, including abstaining from drugs and alcohol, not driving, and staying home unless going to work.
Casper expressed some satisfaction with the reduced bail, though he had hoped for Barajas to be released on recognizance. He also requested that Barajas be allowed to attend her children’s funeral, scheduled for April 7, should she not post bail by that time. Judge Young said he would revisit this request in a hearing scheduled for Friday.
In addition to the charges of gross vehicular manslaughter and child abuse, Barajas faces charges of DUI causing injury. She has not yet entered a plea, and the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is ongoing.
The case continues to unfold, and the community remains deeply impacted by the tragic loss of two young lives.