UPDATE: The sentence for Sandy Nicole Deleon, a Lake Charles woman convicted of vehicular homicide, has been vacated for the second time as of October 27, 2025. This urgent decision by the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal raises significant implications for her case and ongoing legal battles.
Deleon initially pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide following a tragic accident on March 17, 2019, that resulted in the death of her unrestrained passenger, Ricky Broussard. Reports indicate Deleon was driving a Dodge Charger on Interstate 10 when she rear-ended a Ford pickup truck, leading to a devastating crash. Eyewitness accounts detailed how Broussard was ejected from the vehicle during the impact.
Authorities from the Louisiana State Police confirmed that Deleon exhibited signs of intoxication at the scene, with a reported blood alcohol content of .192, well over the legal limit. Following her conviction, Deleon was sentenced on February 7, 2022, to 30 years in the Department of Corrections, with 15 years to serve and additional stipulations including community service and electronic monitoring.
In a recent ruling, the appellate court agreed with Deleon’s appeal, highlighting that the trial court did not provide clear guidance on community service requirements. The court mandated that Deleon’s sentence be reconsidered, specifically addressing the community service hours and the necessity for electronic monitoring.
Upon resentencing, Deleon received a modified sentence, reducing her community service to 300 hours and eliminating a $500 fee to the Public Defender’s Office. However, she contested the sentence once again, arguing it was excessive and did not adequately consider her military service and remorse for the incident.
The 3rd Circuit Court’s latest ruling underscores the legal complexities surrounding her case. They stated that while the trial court can impose electronic monitoring, it must specify conditions clearly, which were absent in Deleon’s initial sentencing.
What’s Next: As developments unfold, Deleon’s legal team is expected to push for further modifications, while the court will review the specific conditions of her probation. The implications of this case resonate beyond the courtroom, raising critical discussions on DUI laws and their enforcement in Louisiana.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as the legal ramifications continue to unfold.
