Sac State student enters no plea in fatal car accident case

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Rachel Rosenbaum

The 22-year-old driver who is accused of killing Sacramento State student Brett Jones in a drunk driving accident made her first Sacramento Superior Court appearance this morning.

Alexandra Jimenez, also a Sac State student, is facing charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and causing great bodily harm.

Jones, 25, was the passenger in the fatal car accident around 1:45 a.m. on Feb. 11 on the onramp to Highway 50 at Howe Avenue. According to the California Highway Patrol news release, Jones was not wearing a seatbelt.

Jimenez did not enter a plea. Her lawyer said they are still waiting for official reports on her blood alcohol level, any videos from inside the establishment where Jimenez and Jones were the night of the accident, and the official CHP report.

The charges she faces do not include gross negligence which her lawyer Michael Platt said is “very good.”

“Every criminal case starts with a ‘not guilty’ plea,” Platt said.

Jimenez posted bail of $350,000, and while she awaits her March 29 court appearance out of custody, Judge Joseph Orr ordered she not drink alcohol, not enter any bars, and attend and show proof of attendance to at least three Alcoholics Anonymous meetings per week.

“She is going to stay away from alcohol for a … very long time,” Platt said. “She provided [insurance] information to the victim’s family because she understands the loss this brought.”