A former server at the Viejas Casino in Alpine was sentenced Sept. 27 to 11 years and eight months in prison for killing a man while she was driving while intoxicated.
Lauren Ashley Freeman, 24, of Santee, wiped away tears during her sentencing involving the death of Justin Callahan, 35, before San Diego Superior Court Judge Runston Maino.
“I would do anything to bring Justin back,” said Freeman, who was sitting with her attorneys at a table and was dressed in blue jail clothes.
She pleaded guilty July 26 to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated in the Feb. 26, 2018 death of Callahan, who was driving home at 1:55 a.m. after getting off work.
She also pleaded guilty to DUI with injury to her passenger, Renee Taddeo of El Cajon who suffered a broken foot, clavicle, and other injuries.
“She was driving the wrong way for almost two miles,” said Deputy District Attorney Laura Evans, who said Freeman’s blood/alcohol level was .28, which is over three times the legal limit.
Evans said Freeman took a course about serving alcoholic drinks while working at the casino.
Freeman ran into Callahan by driving the wrong way on a ramp between Interstate 8 and I-5. Callahan was headed to his Ocean Beach home. Evans said she passed four signs showing she was driving the wrong way.
The California Highway Patrol initially thought Callahan was at fault, but they reversed their earlier finding and Freeman was charged in November 2018.
Lowell Callahan, the victim’s father, told the judge that Scriptures and the Book of Mormon “help us get through when things are tough.”
“I forgive what she did, but I’m not the final judge,” said Lowell Callahan. “I’m not happy with the plea bargain as I think she should have more time behind bars.”
“When he was killed, part of me left,” said his mother, America Callahan. “Justin would always make me laugh. I miss him so much.”
Alaina Nims-Pomarede, a friend who met Callahan at San Diego State University, said he was “one of those rare people you meet in life.”
Addressing Freeman, Nims- Pomarede said this: “You will learn from this tragedy and never drink and drive again…He was very kind. I know he would have forgiven you.”
“He was one of those rare people whom you know would be in your life forever,” said Chrystal Ferman, who said she met Justin in junior high.
Said Freeman: “I will forever be haunted by the choices of that night. I (can’t) put into words how sorry I am. None of these words will bring Justin back.”
“I accepted the consequences of my action. My true sentence is to live with this for the rest of my life,” said Freeman. “I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me one day, and know how truly and deeply sorry that I am.”
Her father, Thomas Freeman, wept as he expressed condolences to Callahan’s family. He said he hoped “some way you’ll find peace.”
“She’s accepted responsibility for her crime and she’ll serve her time,” said Thomas Freeman, who added that the charges “don’t define her.”
Her attorney, Philip Shapiro, suggested to the victim’s family that they “keep his memory alive by good acts.”
Freeman received 10 years for the death and Maino added one year and eight months for the DUI conviction that also injured Freeman’s passenger.
She had also been charged with second-degree murder, but that was dropped when she pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter.
She was ordered to pay $3,600 in restitution and received credits for 379 days in jail.
