Police say 31-year-old Ismael Rodriguez was driving in the wrong lane in January 2023 on Rt. 422 in Tredyffrin Township when he fatally struck another driver, 41-year-old Christine Severino.
[Ads /]
Severino's family says she's remembered as a great mom and sister and loved to make gifts for her children, who are between the ages of 9 and 22 years old.
"She had her little craft room. She was always making stuff and sewing things. For Christmas she would always make me anything possible like a cup," said Kailee Barnshaw, Severino's daughter. "It's kind of just hard to even imagine that she's still gone."
The crash happened around 3:30 a.m. on January 28, 2023. Severino's family says she had been working at the time. Investigators say Rodriguez was driving intoxicated.
SEE ALSO: Mother of 5 killed in Tredyffrin Township, Pa. head-on crash
"He didn't get into the car that day thinking, 'I'm going to go drink and drive and kill somebody tonight,' but he did," said Jaclyn Severino, the victim's sister.
[Ads /]
On Friday, Rodriguez pleaded guilty in Chester County court. His lawyer told Action News that Rodriguez is deeply sorry and never sought a trial in the case because he knows he's wrong.
Severino's family, who went to court, say no amount of remorse will bring back their mom.
"Honestly I don't think there really is technically justice because we're not getting her back no matter what, but I definitely want him to serve his time for what he did," said Barnshaw.
A sentencing date for Rodriguez has not been set yet.