Woman sentenced after drunk crash that hits five-year-old girl

SAN DIEGO (FOX5/KUSI)--An emotional sentencing for the drunk driver who crashed into a then 5-year-old girl at Liberty Station last September. Savannah Taylor, 22, was sentenced to 8 years and four months behind bars.It was revealed in court that the tragedy happened while she was on supervised release for another case. “She was smart and silly and kind," said Leanne, the victim's mother.“She was four weeks into kindergarten and full of magic and curiosity and joy.” Alex and Leanne offered an emotional account about the five-year-old daughter they once knew. “Olive was my twin," said Alex. Olive, now six, survived, but her family says she spent 8 months at Rady Children's Hospital.They say doctors still can’t tell them what type of meaningful recovery Olive can possibly have.“This is what her life is like today. She can’t walk. She’s dependent on her wheelchair; she cannot eat on her own. She has a feeding tube. She can’t use the toilet. She’s in diapers. She cannot perform any activities of daily living.” Their life changed on September 6, 2025, when Savannah Taylor, now 22, drunkenly drove into a pedestrian walkway at Liberty Station, hitting their daughter. The defense asked that Taylor serve the least amount of time and that she would be sent to fire camp. “I just wish that you never have to go through this, and I just pray that god blesses you all tremendously," said Taylor as she cried in the courtroom. The defense detailed she was under 26 years old at the time of the crash and had a history of trauma, among other things. Taylor was sentenced to spend 8 years and four months behind bars. The judge denied fire camp. “I’d just like to say how sincerely sorry I am," said Taylor. Taylor will be sentenced for another crime at a later date.