Trial begins against man accused of causing car accident that killed unborn child

SAN ANTONIO – On Tuesday, the trial began against Constantino Tristian-Coronado, who is accused of causing a car accident that resulted in the death of an unborn child.

Coronado is charged with manslaughter, two counts of aggravated assault and aggravated assault on a public servant.

The charges stem from an accident on the south side in May 2021.

According to the prosecution's opening statements, Coronado was fleeing the scene of a minor accident he allegedly caused near South Zarzamora and Interstate 35 when he collided with another vehicle that had stopped for an approaching ambulance with its blue lights and siren on.

“What happened is that the force with which Mr. Coronado struck her during his escape forced her to run into the oncoming lane and she was struck head-on by an ambulance traveling in the opposite direction,” prosecutors said.

The driver of the vehicle, April Levine, was eight months pregnant and had her one-year-old child in the back seat. Levine, her child and the paramedics involved in the accident sustained injuries, but her unborn son did not survive.

In their opening statements, the defense argued that the crash was an accident.

They claimed that Coronado was hit in the initial collision and attempted to turn around and return to the scene of the accident.

The defense also said Levine did not stop properly to call the ambulance. The defense said it will present expert testimony to support its argument.

If convicted, Coronado faces up to 20 years in prison.