The suspected driver who killed a North Bay mother has already driven under the influence of alcohol four times and now faces murder charges

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (KGO) — Last Friday, a 31-year-old mother and Sonoma County police officer was killed when a drunk driver crashed into her car as she was picking up her daughter from school in Santa Rosa, a young girl who we're told is now with family members.

On Tuesday, murder charges were filed against the suspect in this case.

The man I believe is responsible for the car accident is 68-year-old Nhan Van Nguyen. According to authorities, he was under the influence of alcohol when he caused the car accident.

Prosecutors say 31-year-old Jessica Avila Munoz was driving to pick up her 13-year-old daughter from school when Nguyen ran a red light and crashed into her. Munoz later died in the hospital.

Now the focus is on Nguyen, who police say has already been convicted of drunk driving four times. Legal expert Steven Clark says:

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“The prosecutor says this man was warned several times in his previous drunk driving cases that if he got behind the wheel while under the influence and killed someone, he could be charged with murder, and that day has now come.”

Munoz started working as a juvenile corrections counselor in Sonoma County last year. Her colleagues were shocked and saddened by the news of her death.

“When I got the call from the Santa Rosa police chief, I was speechless,” said Vanessa Fuchs, Sonoma County’s chief probation officer.

“She loved her daughter more than anything and she was her top priority. I know for myself that our department will do everything in its power to help her with whatever she needs,” said Trevor Vannetti, a juvenile justice counselor who has worked with Munoz.

We spoke last Sunday with Damian Evans, chairman of the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Association. He was the one who swore in Munoz when she began working for the county last year. He responded to Nguyen's extensive criminal past.

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“When we talk about the suspect and the four previous drunk driving cases, it is something that causes great concern, especially in the police community – at some point you just have to shake your head,” Evans said.

In addition to the murder charge, 68-year-old Nguyen also faces charges of negligent homicide, drunk driving and driving without a valid license.

“If this man is convicted of first-degree murder, he is unlikely to get out of prison, as he faces a sentence of 15 years to life in prison,” Clark said.

Nguyen's last driving under the influence was in 2016 – court records show he served less than a year in prison. Clark says it's likely that any previous requirements for breathalyzer testing or other sanctions have long since passed.

Two fundraisers have been launched to help Munoz's daughter and parents. The first is being organized by the Sonoma County Probation Department and can be found here.

A friend of Jessica's has organized a GoFundMe campaign for the family, which you can find here.