Sister of Norwalk teen killed in 2022 crash focusing on healing, moving forward following drunk driver’s sentence
It’s taken time for Maria Valdovinos, of Norwalk, to be able to speak about her younger brother, Oscar Valdovinos, and smile. The 19-year-old was killed by a friend in a drunk driving crash in South Norwalk over two years ago.
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It’s taken time for Maria Valdovinos, of Norwalk, to be able to speak about her younger brother, Oscar Valdovinos, and smile. The 19-year-old was killed by a friend in a drunk driving crash in South Norwalk over two years ago.
“It's a roller coaster honestly,” Maria said. “I can actually talk about him now and be happy and think about the memories that we have together.”
And there are many memories. The siblings were seven years apart, but Maria said the gap sometimes seemed non-existent.
“Growing up we did everything together. We would eat together, we would watch movies together, play video games. We would do everything together,” Maria explained.
She spoke with News 12 Thursday after the Stamford man charged with her brother’s death was sentenced to nine years in prison this week.
The crash happened on Nov. 27, 2022, after Erles Aguilera, then 25, got behind the wheel after a night of drinking and smoking marijuana, according to Norwalk police.
Oscar was one of three passengers in Aguilera's truck. Police said Aguilera hit speeds of up to 113 mph and lost control on Martin Luther King Drive, just south of Lowe Street, right at the overpass above the train tracks. The truck went airborne and slammed into the barrier with such force that the right side of the vehicle was sheared off, according to police. Oscar was thrown from the truck, police said.
MORE: Prosecutor: Suspect in deadly crash drove over 110 mph, was almost twice the legal limit
Maria was living in Florida when she got the call from her mom that changed everything.
“She was screaming on the phone. It was the worst moment of my life,” Maria recalled. “I moved back home to be with my mom because I can't imagine losing a son. I have my own son. I can't even imagine the pain. So, I decided to move back, so she wouldn't feel alone.”
Since then, Maria and other family members have made regular trips to the Stamford courthouse whenever Aguilera's case has a hearing. The final one was Tuesday after he took a plea offer from the judge and pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault with a motor vehicle, reckless driving and two counts of driving under the influence. In exchange, Aguilera received a 20-year prison sentence, suspended after he serves nine years, followed by five years of probation. If he violates that, he faces up to another 11 years in prison.
MORE: Arrest warrant sheds light on alleged drunk-driving crash in Norwalk that killed 19-year-old
Maria wanted more time. She'd also hoped to see genuine remorse from Aguilera, who did apologize when he addressed the judge.
“He showed no emotion towards the apology, and we would’ve liked him to turn around and face us,” Maria explained.
Still, it marked the close of a chapter for Oscar's family. Maria said they can now focus on healing and moving forward.
“My son resembles him so much,” Maria said. “Sometimes it makes me cry, but it actually makes me happy because I feel like I do have a part of my brother with me most of the time.”
