The case of Stockton native Obdulia Sanchez was tragic and drew national attention, not only because of the crazy events that happened, but also because it showed how impulsive and irresponsible choices combined with a lack of guidance and care from parents and the legal system can lead youth in a terrible direction.
In 2017, Obdulia (18) was in a car driving in Los Banos with her sister Jacqueline and a friend (both 14) while she was also livestreaming on Facebook. Obdulia ended up losing control of the car, and Jacqueline was ejected from the car in the course of the ensuing accident. The whole sequence was caught on video.
According to an ABC10 article, Obdulia was driving while intoxicated. Perhaps as a result of her altered state, the behavior she exhibited in the recording of the livestream went from bad to worse. After the crash, Obdulia retrieved her phone and showed her sister’s apparently deceased body on the livestream. Obdulia proceeded to kiss her sister and say, “I f—ing love you,” “I just killed my sister,” and “This is the last thing I would want for you.” The video was horrifying and disturbing. After all that it makes me believe that there was some bad guidance based on her driving drunk with two 14-year-olds with her in the car as well.
In early 2018 Obdulia was later charged with vehicular manslaughter, DUI, and child endangerment, which is correct and fair. They gave her more than six years, but she was released for good behavior only two years later, which was unexpected. I think the legal system should have done better and not been so lenient. This was proven just a few weeks after she was released when Obdulia was arrested after a police chase initiated over traffic violations. Police also found a gun in her car.
On Dec. 2, 2025 26-year-old Obdulia and another victim who has not been publicly identified were both hit in a drive-by shooting in east Stockton on Gertrude Avenue which killed Obdulia and injured the other victim. This was only a few blocks from Franklin High School. Police have not yet identified a suspect in the killing. In the aftermath, Obdulia’s family set up an online fundraiser to help cover her funeral costs.
In a post on GoFundMe, Gloria Sanchez said, “Losing a child is something no parent should have to face, and the pain has been overwhelming, especially as we are still grieving the recent loss of my husband. Our family is struggling to cope with so much loss in such a short time.”
