NATIONAL CITY, Calif. — A driver who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol when she struck and killed a 15-year-old girl and her stepfather on a South Bay street pleaded not guilty Friday to charges that include gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
Tayishe Ann Baltys, 43, was heading west in the 3100 block of East Plaza Boulevard in National City shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday when her 2020 Toyota Prius struck the teenager and the 39-year-old man as they were walking home from a visit to a neighborhood market, according to police.
The girl died at the scene, Sgt. Kenneth Springer said. Paramedics took her stepfather to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Officials have not released the names of the victims, but family members have identified them as Brian McKee and Jessica Talamante.
Deputy District Attorney Blair Pickus said in court Friday that upon seeing the defendant's vehicle barreling towards them, McKee unsuccessfully tried to push his stepdaughter out of the way. The impact threw both victims about 100 feet from the intersection, the prosecutor said.
Kristen White, Jessica Talamante’s mother, was present at the arraignment and her grief was palpable.
“My daughter was so beautiful. She was a good soul, a pure soul. She was so innocent,” said White as she sobbed.
White is still in shock, White talked about what happened to her daughter Jessica and her own boyfriend, Brian McKee.
“She didn’t deserve this, or Brian. He was there for us so much. He did everything for us. He was so good to my kids,” said White.
Jessica’s older sister, Aliyah, was with them Wednesday night and saw the whole thing. Friday, the prosecutor laid out the gruesome details for the judge.
“Aliyah who was trailing just a short bit behind, looked up to her right to see her headlights barreling towards them. She saw Brian grab or try to push Jessica out of the way but with no time left the vehicle made contact. The severity of the impact caused the two victims to be ejected about 100 feet from the point of impact," explained Deputy District Attorney Blair Pickus.
Baltys, who appeared in court remotely from the Las Colinas jail, will be held without bail pending a July 7 bail review hearing.
According to Pickus, Baltys was previously charged with DUI for a Jan. 29, 2020 incident that also involved alcohol. She pleaded guilty to a lesser offense known as a "wet reckless" and was sentenced to one year of probation. Pickus said she completed probation about three weeks prior to the fatal crash.
In the current case, the prosecutor said a preliminary alcohol screening indicated she had a blood-alcohol-content of .16% after the crash, which is two times the legal driving limit in California.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help with the Jessica and Brian's family.
WATCH RELATED: Teen, stepfather killed in suspected DUI crash in National City (June 2022).