A Disneyland Resort cast member has tragically passed away after being struck by an SUV in an alleged DUI incident.
KTLA reported that 23 year-old Yesenia Aguilar died Tuesday evening. Aguilar was out walking in Anaheim with her husband, James Alvarez. Aguilar was 35 weeks pregnant with the couple’s first child, a baby girl. She passed after being transported to UC Irvine Medical Center, but doctors were able to deliver the baby, Adalyn Rose, via cesarean section. The child was reported to be in critical condition and is being treated in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit.
A spokesperson for Disneyland said in a statement, “We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our cast member and we offer our deepest condolences to her family, friends and loved ones.”
Alvarez, who was unharmed in the incident, has set up a GoFundMe fundraiser to help cover funeral and medical expenses, as described on the webpage:
Today we grief the death of a beloved daughter, sister, wife, aunt and friend-Yesenia Aguilar. Yesenia was taken from our hands too soon. We have lost her in the most tragic way, when a driver under the influence lost control and struck Yesenia. She was expecting a beautiful baby girl who has been born prematurely and fighting for her life. We ask you keep Adalyn Rose ( Yesenias daughter) and her family in your prayers. We also ask our friends and family to help by donating towards her funeral and medical costs to help cover the cost of the unforeseeable events.
Thank you!
P.S.
You can also donate to the following
Zelle: Mariela Aguilar # 714) 710-2595
Venmo: James Alvarez # 714) 362-6842
The SUV’s driver, 40 year-old Courtney Pandolfi, was arrested by the Anaheim Police Department following the crash. According to police, after being treated for “unspecified minor to moderate injuries,” Pandolfi, who has two prior DUI arrests, was booked into Orange County Jail “on suspicion of murder, DUI drugs causing bodily injury and driving on a suspended license.” Pandolfi may face murder charges in connection to the incident. Bail was set at $1 million.
In an interview with KTLA, Alvarez said, “It’s like I’m living a nightmare and I’m hoping to wake up soon, But I’m accepting the reality is she’s gone. And my daughter is the only thing that I have left.”