UPDATE: The sentence of Sandy Nicole Deleon, a Lake Charles woman convicted of vehicular homicide, has been vacated for a second time, prompting urgent questions about the future of her case. This decision was made by the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal on October 27, 2025, following her appeal against the initial sentencing structure.
Deleon pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide stemming from a tragic incident on March 17, 2019, when her vehicle collided with another on Interstate 10, resulting in the death of her unrestrained passenger, Ricky Broussard. Reports from the Louisiana State Police confirmed that Deleon was driving under the influence, with a blood alcohol content of .192 after consuming at least six shots prior to the crash.
Initially sentenced on February 7, 2022, to 30 years in the Department of Corrections, with 15 years suspended, her sentence included community service focused on DWI prevention. However, after Deleon appealed, the court found the original community service requirements vague and unclear.
In her resentencing, the trial court maintained the core of her original sentence but modified her community service obligation to 300 hours, with specific stipulations on DWI prevention. Yet, Deleon appealed again, arguing the sentence was excessive and did not account for her military service and remorse.
This latest ruling by the 3rd Circuit has significant implications as they vacated the electronic monitoring requirement, stating that such conditions must be clearly defined by the trial court and not left to the discretion of probation officers. The court highlighted the necessity for precise guidelines in monitoring conditions, which they found lacking in Deleon’s case.
The 3rd Circuit Court concluded that while the trial court was not mandated to impose electronic monitoring, any such decision must be clearly articulated to ensure compliance and fairness. This latest development raises critical questions about the legal framework surrounding vehicular homicide cases in Louisiana.
As this case continues to unfold, the community is left grappling with the implications of Deleon’s actions and the legal system’s response. The emotional toll on Broussard’s family remains profound, as they seek justice for their loss.
Next Steps: Deleon’s case will return to the trial court for resentencing, where the judge will have the opportunity to redefine terms and ensure clarity in the conditions set forth. Observers are keenly awaiting further developments as this case highlights broader issues regarding DUI-related offenses and community safety.
Stay tuned for more updates as we follow this developing story.
