Santa Rosa mom convicted in crash to enter rehab

A judge Tuesday reduced the punishment for a Santa Rosa woman serving seven years in prison for a drug-fueled crash that seriously injured her two young children.

Judge Gary Medvigy recalled the sentence of Christina A. Curtis, 30, who he sent to prison for the 2014 crash in downtown Santa Rosa.

Two of her sons, ages 8 and 10, were not wearing seat belts. One broke his jaw and lost five teeth and the other suffered a concussion.

Curtis, who was on probation for drug convictions at the time, was found to be under the influence of hydrocodone, methadone and methamphetamine, prosecutors said.

In June, Medvigy appeared torn about an appropriate punishment, excusing himself to his chambers to consider it before handing down the seven-year term.

But he exercised his discretion to recall the sentence within ?120 days, ordering Curtis back to court alongside her lawyer, Marty Woods.

Curtis made an emotional plea to be released from prison so she could enroll in a residential drug treatment program and someday reunite with her five children.

“I just want a chance to be a mom again,” Curtis said, wiping away tears. “I feel so bad for what happened.”

Prosecutor Chris Brown urged the judge to uphold his original sentence, arguing Curtis is a danger to her children and the public and is likely to re-offend.

But the judge changed her punishment, allowing her to be released from prison to the treatment program when space becomes available. He did not offer an explanation.

If Curtis breaks the law again, she faces a new, nine-year prison term, he said.

“I’m hoping we have your attention now,” the judge said.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com.