Two members of the District Attorney’s Office have been honored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) at an annual MADD San Diego ceremony.
At the event, the Law Enforcement and Prosecutor Recognition Awards, held Thursday at the Balboa Park Recital Hall, Deputy District Attorney Hailey Williams was named Prosecutor of the Year for her work in the D.A.’s DUI Homicide Unit.
Victim Advocate Shanda Torres received the Outstanding Advocate Award for her work with victims of DUI cases.
“Prosecutors like Hailey are helping to deliver a level of justice for the victims and their families, along with the compassionate assistance of victim advocates like Shanda,” District Attorney Summer Stephan said. “I am very proud to have them both on our team and I know that (each) award is very well-deserved.”
In 2022, the DUI Homicide Unit prosecuted 27 cases; so far in 2023, there have been eight cases.
Williams started prosecuting DUI homicides in 2019, when she was assigned to assist the unit as the numbers of local DUI-related deaths were rising. She is also part of the training team for new Deputy D.A.s, organizing and presenting a day-long workshop on DUIs to new classes.
Torres was nominated for her ability to assist with Spanish-speaking families while being a helpful resource for MADD, responding promptly to the organization’s inquires about cases.
The other MADD award recipients:
- Deputy City Attorney Ryan Harris of the San Diego City Attorney’s Office, who also was named Prosecutor of the Year;
- Chief Deputy City Attorney Kristen Foster, also of the City Attorney’s Office, another MADD Outstanding Advocate;
- Sgt. Brian Pennings, and officers Juan Escobar, Gilberto Jacobo and Jake Sanchez of the California Highway Patrol in San Diego, all awarded for Outstanding Agency Dedication;
- San Diego police officers Joseph Cabrales and Anthony Carrasco, El Centro police Officer Daniel Valencia and La Mesa police Officer Jesse Neumeister, all honored with the Outstanding Rookie Award;
- Carlsbad police officers Tyler Hubka, who made 101 DUI arrests, and Ricardo Huerta, who made 125 DUI arrests, and San Diego County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Malson, who made 115 DUI arrests, received the MADD Century Award, and
- Escondido police Officer Timothy Hamilton, who made 212 DUI arrests, was named MADD’s Top Cop.
