Woman Accused of Killing O.C. Official in Crash Had Prior Crime

The woman accused of killing an Orange councilman in a head-on collision last week had pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter 12 years ago in connection with the death of a woman she fought with after a traffic dispute.

Sara Ward, then 18, was sentenced to 264 days in jail, fined $500 and given three years’ probation because the judge believed she was remorseful for the crime.

In the death of Councilman Steven F. Ambriz, Ward has been charged with gross vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence of drugs and possession of marijuana. She is being held at O.C. Jail. Her arraignment is scheduled for June 9.

Ward appeared Tuesday in Superior Court, and when Judge David A. Hoffer set her bail at $1 million, she exclaimed, “Oh, my God.”

Police say Ward crossed the yellow-striped median on Santiago Canyon Road in Orange Park Acres and her pickup slammed into Ambriz’s Toyota Camry. He died shortly afterward.

Prosecutors said they could not discuss Ward’s manslaughter conviction or criminal history.

In September 1993, Ward was a passenger in a car driven by John Richard Collins when it nearly collided with a vehicle pulling out of a parking space at a La Habra shopping center, according to police records. Roxanne Rodriguez, 26, got out of her car and began yelling at Collins. Ward and Rebecca Luker, another passenger, got out of their car and began shouting at Rodriguez.

Ward and Luker began punching Rodriguez, who suddenly collapsed, and the women continued to beat her, a detective testified. Luker and Ward jumped into Collins’ car and fled.

The coroner’s office said Rodriguez, a mother of four, died of a heart attack, having a thyroid condition that made her susceptible to heart failure.

Luker received the same sentence as Ward. Collins pleaded guilty to being an accessory to the crime and receiving stolen property. The car he was driving had been stolen from a dealership.

Ambriz, 35, was elected to the Orange City Council in 2002 as one of its youngest members. He is survived by his wife, Bridget, and their 3-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn.

A vigil and viewing was held for him Tuesday night at St. Norbert Catholic Church. Funeral services are scheduled this afternoon at Holy Family Cathedral in Orange.