Woman convicted of deadly DWI accident sentenced to 8 years in prison

SAN ANTONIO – A jury decided on an eight-year prison sentence for Samantha Castillo around 8 p.m. Friday, hours after closing arguments took place.

Castillo pleaded guilty Wednesday to the charge of intoxication manslaughter, which meant the case proceeded to punishment.

Castillo left a St. Mary’s bar and hit bicyclist Beatrice Gonzalez on April 7, 2021, as she was waiting for other cyclists on the sidewalk right in front of Central Catholic High School.

Surveillance video from the school showed the car Castillo was driving speed over the curb and hit Gonzalez, who was thrown several feet down the street.

A fire station across the street heard the accident and immediately rendered aid to Gonzalez, but her injuries were too severe.

The jury heard from character witnesses for the defense on Thursday.

They discussed how Castillo has changed since the crash. She has since joined Alcoholics Anonymous and started a nonprofit organization called, “Think Twice San Antonio.”

More Samantha Castillo coverage on KSAT:

• ‘She’s ready to take responsibility’: Family, friends speak on behalf of woman convicted of intoxication manslaughter
• Woman pleads guilty to killing bicyclist while driving drunk as trial was to begin