Two counts of second-degree murder were filed May 17 against a motorist who is accused of driving drunk and killing a pregnant woman and her unborn baby on Mother’s Day.
Jessica Nicole Foderingham, 29, was eight months pregnant when her Dodge Dart was rear-ended on San Vicente Road about 6:45 p.m. May 14. The impact sent her car veering into a center median and a tree.
She was prepared for medical transport to a hospital, but she was pronounced dead while en route in an ambulance, according to the medical examiner’s office.
The victim’s husband joined with a large crowd of family and supporters for the arraignment of Andrew Dorian Milonis, 44, of Ramona.
Bail was increased from $1 million to $3 million for Milonis, who pleaded not guilty before El Cajon Superior Court Judge Dan Lamborn.
Milonis abandoned his damaged his GMC Yukon and left it in a Ramona parking lot, apparently when it couldn’t drive. A woman saw Milonis, who appeared intoxicated, and called a Lyft driver for him.
Milonis was driven to the Turkey Inn, a bar in Ramona, where California Highway Patrol officers arrested him at 1:55 a.m. He was apparently drinking there.
Her husband, Christian Foderingham, 23, a U.S. Marine, talked with reporters after the arraignment.
“The murder charge is, is still not enough,” said Foderingham.
“My little one, he still doesn’t believe it’s true. He asks me every night when is mommy coming home,” said Foderingham.
Foderingham was standing up in the back of courtroom when Milonis was arraigned.
“I was just trying to keep my composure. I was very angry, upset, hurt. But at the end of it, I just want justice for my wife, for my daughter,” said Foderingham.
The unborn baby already had a name, Ayanna Amari Marie Skye Foderingham, according to a GoFundMe web site seeking contributions for funeral expenses.
“I never thought I would be hearing my daughter is dead on Mother’s Day,” said Regina Townsel, the victim’s mother.
Deputy District Attorney Laura Evans did not disclose why the DA’s office charged Milonis with murder or whether he had previous drunk driving convictions.
“We’ve determined these are the appropriate charges,” said Evans.
Evans said Milonis’ blood/alcohol was over .15, which is twice the legal limit, but a full report of his intoxication level has not been finished.
Milonis is also charged with two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, hit and run resulting in death, driving under the influence of alcohol, and hit and run with property damage.
It would be up to a jury to decide if Milonis is guilty of second-degree murder or vehicular manslaughter, or both charges.
If convicted, Milonis faces 40 years to life in prison. Milonis didn’t say anything in court other than “not guilty.” His lawyer did not make an argument for lower bail.
Lamborn set a preliminary hearing for May 31. A funeral was held May 20 at a church in Rancho Penasquitos.
