Unlicensed driver pleads no contest to crash that killed 5

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Thursday, March 26, 2015
Unlicensed driver pleads no contest to crash that killed 5
The unlicensed driver who ran a stop sign, hit a family vehicle that exploded in flames and killed five people has now admitted her crime.

FRESNO, Calif. -- The unlicensed driver who ran a stop sign, hit a family vehicle that exploded in flames and killed five people has now admitted her crime.

Juana Bejarano Martinez plead no contest Tuesday to misdemeanor manslaughter charges. Isaac, Nikko, Esmeralda, Jada and Breanna Saucedo all died in the collision she caused near Riverdale. The father of the children was driving behind his wife and saw it happen, but couldn't save them from the fiery car.

Bejarano cried in court as she entered her plea and her attorney said she feels horrible about the crash. But because it wasn't a DUI, prosecutors couldn't prove she was grossly negligent, so it became a misdemeanor charge. The maximum punishment will be one year in jail.