Update: Woman sentenced to 15 years, 8 months for gross vehicular manslaughter
Chelsea Stiles, 27.
Update posted March 24, 2021:
–District Attorney Dan Dow this week announced that 27-year-old Chelsea Annmarie Stiles has been sentenced to serve 15 years and eight months in state prison. In December 2020, a San Luis Obispo County jury convicted Stiles of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated; driving under the influence of a drug causing death; four counts of assault with a deadly weapon using an automobile; leaving the scene of a vehicle collision causing injury; child abuse; and misdemeanor possession of cocaine.
The deadly crash sequence occurred at 6 p.m. on Dec. 1, 2019, on Highway 227 when Ms. Stiles, while under the influence of cocaine, intentionally rear-ended an automobile containing a family of four at 74 miles per hour, disabling the vehicle. About 19 seconds later, Stiles drove into the opposing lane of travel striking Tilton’s vehicle head-on at 68 miles per hour, killing him instantly. The defendant’s 18-month-old daughter and two dogs were also in her vehicle at the time of the collisions.
At trial, the San Luis Obispo County jury was not able to reach a unanimous verdict on the most serious charge of murder, resulting in a split decision of 11-1 in favor of guilt.
“Driving under the influence of drugs is deadly serious, as this case tragically illustrates,” said Assistant District Attorney Eric Dobroth. “Ms. Stiles’ decision to drive in her compromised condition endangered not only the life of her very young daughter within the vehicle, but every other driver on the roadway that evening. Our hearts go out to the surviving family and friends of Terry Tilton, who were patient throughout the criminal justice process. Our community is thankful for the jury’s tireless effort and attention in this nearly two-month-long trial, particularly in light of the COVID-19 safety precautions.”
Update posted Dec. 12, 2020:
Jury convicts Chelsea Stiles after two-month vehicular homicide trial
–The San Luis Obispo County jury, after deliberating for several days, convicted 27-year-old Arroyo Grande woman Chelsea Annmarie Stiles of numerous charges, but were not able to reach a unanimous verdict on the most serious charge of murder. On the charge of murder, the jury’s decision was split 11-1 in favor of guilt.
The jury convicted Stiles of the following felonies: gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated; driving under the influence of a drug causing death; four counts of assault with a deadly weapon using an automobile; leaving the scene of a vehicle collision causing injury; child abuse; and misdemeanor possession of cocaine.
The deadly crash sequence occurred at 6 p.m. on Dec. 1, 2019 on Highway 227 in Arroyo Grande when Stiles, while under the influence of cocaine, intentionally rear-ended an automobile containing a family of four at 74 miles per hour, disabling the vehicle. About 19 seconds later, Stiles inexplicably drove into the opposing lane of travel striking 77-year-old San Luis Obispo man Terry Tilton’s vehicle head-on at 68 miles per hour, killing him instantly. The defendant’s 18-month old daughter and two dogs were also in her vehicle at the time of the collisions.
“Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is deadly serious as this case tragically illustrates,” said Assistant District Attorney Eric Dobroth. “Ms. Stiles’ decision to drive in her condition endangered not only her infant daughter within her vehicle, but every other driver on the roadway that evening. Our community is thankful for the jury’s tireless effort and attention in this nearly two-month-long trial, particularly in light of the COVID-19 safety precautions.”
Stiles faces a maximum sentence of over 14 years in state prison. She will return to Department 1 of the Superior Court for sentencing on Feb. 3, 2021, with Judge Jacqueline Duffy presiding.
A copy of the charging document can be found here.
The case was investigated by the California Highway Patrol with the assistance of the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Dobroth and Deputy District Attorney Ben Blumenthal.
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