Woman sentenced in Valentine's Day 2024 drugged driving crash
Mar 04, 2025
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- Joanna Bojorquez-Higuera blew through a red light while high on drugs on Valentine's Day last year, in a hurry to buy "something that makes you feel good," she told police.
She never made her purchase -- her vehicle slammed into other vehicles at the intersection of
Chester and California avenues, injuring multiple people.
One of the victims attended Bojorquez-Higuera's sentencing hearing Tuesday, telling the court he hopes she doesn't escape punishment.
"The emotional and financial impact will be felt by my family for years to come," he said.
Following his statement, Bojorquez-Higuera, 30, was sentenced to four years and four months in prison. She also was ordered to pay tens of thousands of dollars in fines and restitution. Her license will be suspended for three years.
Joanna Bojorquez-Higuera, file image
Her demeanor on Tuesday was far different from when she made her initial court appearance in February of last year, when she was removed from for acting out. She stood quietly throughout the hearing.
The crash happened just after 10:30 a.m. and resulted in broken bones to two people, according to court filings.
Taken to Kern Medical and questioned, Bojorquez-Higuera said she used fentanyl two or three days earlier and wasn't sure when she last used methamphetamine, according to the filings. An officer noticed signs of possible drug impairment such as "jerking extremities, eyelid tremors, watery eyes and dilated pupils."
As they spoke, Bojorquez-Higuera became aggressive and demanded her cellphone, the filings say. She made bizarre statements, telling the officer, “I have no bones.”
Then she tried to leave. The officer handcuffed her to a hospital bed.
She spit at him and said, "I guess I’m gonna have to shoot you with an FN," according to the filings.
“FN” refers to a gun manufacturer.
Bojorquez-Higuera pleaded no contest in January to DUI causing injury. Three other charges were dismissed.
She has two prior DUI convictions. ...read more read less