A Hemet woman, Erica Pearl Machuca, faces a fresh set of charges after being involved in a fatal car crash in Wildomar that claimed the life of 56-year-old Murrieta resident Debra Amicay. The November 24 collision occurred around 9 pm and has led to Machuca's arrest on suspicion of murder and two additional DUI-related allegations.
Machuca, who is currently being held at a Banning jail in lieu of $1 million bail, has a history of driving under the influence. Her most recent conviction was in 2022 when she pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of driving while intoxicated, with a blood-alcohol content above the legal limit. She received three years of probation and a fine of $1,703.
Further records show Machuca also pleaded guilty to a similar charge in 2012, receiving a three-year probation sentence and a fine of $1,664. In both cases, she completed DUI offender programs as part of her sentences.
Machuca's current charges carry the possibility of second-degree murder, with prosecutors citing California's "Watson advisement" - a document stating that drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs are aware they could be charged with murder if their driving results in another person's death. The crime is punishable by up to 15 years to life in state prison.
Machuca was released from her probation in July this year, but has once again found herself facing severe consequences for a single wrong turn behind the wheel. Her case highlights the potential dangers of impaired driving and serves as a stark reminder that reckless behavior can have devastating repercussions.
Machuca, who is currently being held at a Banning jail in lieu of $1 million bail, has a history of driving under the influence. Her most recent conviction was in 2022 when she pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of driving while intoxicated, with a blood-alcohol content above the legal limit. She received three years of probation and a fine of $1,703.
Further records show Machuca also pleaded guilty to a similar charge in 2012, receiving a three-year probation sentence and a fine of $1,664. In both cases, she completed DUI offender programs as part of her sentences.
Machuca's current charges carry the possibility of second-degree murder, with prosecutors citing California's "Watson advisement" - a document stating that drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs are aware they could be charged with murder if their driving results in another person's death. The crime is punishable by up to 15 years to life in state prison.
Machuca was released from her probation in July this year, but has once again found herself facing severe consequences for a single wrong turn behind the wheel. Her case highlights the potential dangers of impaired driving and serves as a stark reminder that reckless behavior can have devastating repercussions.
... I mean, I know we all make mistakes, but it seems like Erica Machuca just can't get her life together 
... three years of probation and fines in the past, and now she's back to square one... and worse, someone lost their life because of her reckless driving 
... it's just a stark reminder that impaired driving is no joke and can have such devastating consequences... I'm not sure what to say other than that we should all be more careful behind the wheel 
...
. But the fact that she still wasn't able to drive responsibly makes you wonder what's going on inside her head.
. Let's all take a deep breath and be more mindful behind the wheel, okay? We can make a difference by supporting each other in staying safe on the roads 
Erica Machuca's history of DUIs is wild!! like, she's had 2 major convictions already and now she's facing murder charges lol what is wrong with ppl? 
I mean, we all know the dangers of impaired driving but seriously, you'd think someone would've learned their lesson by now. her current charges are super serious and if she gets convicted, she'll be lookin at 15 yrs to life in prison 
that's some harsh punishment if you ask me.
- three times in 12 years?! And now she's facing up to 15 YEARS IN PRISON for a single car crash? That's just not right, you know?! The fact that she was released from her probation in July and still managed to get behind the wheel and kill someone is just, like, so irresponsible 
. I'm not saying that Machuca didn't make a mistake (obviously), but 15 years in prison? That's like, way too harsh 
. We can't just keep blaming the victim or making excuses for people who are reckless behind the wheel 
. It's time for us to take responsibility for our own actions and be more mindful of how they affect those around us 
.
. We need to keep educating ourselves about the dangers of impaired driving and support each other in making safer choices 
. This case is a harsh reminder that one mistake can lead to devastating outcomes... let's all take this as an opportunity to prioritize our own well-being and the safety of those around us 
, and yet she still thinks it's okay to get behind the wheel after one too many drinks 
. I mean, come on, if you're gonna flunk out of those DUI programs like she did in 2012... what makes you think you can just waltz back into driving without consequences? 
And now she's facing up to 15 years to life in state prison for this latest mess? Yeah, I hope she's thinking about that as she sits in her cell 
. And what really gets my goat is that she was released from probation just a few months ago... so what changed? Was the cops just chillin' that day or something? 
. Let's hope Machuca gets the help she needs and that her case serves as a wake-up call for us all 
.
anyway what really gets me is how many times has Machuca driven under the influence already?! it's like she thinks it's no big deal 
newsflash: it IS a BIG DEAL! 
DUIs should be treated with so much more severity, not just probation and fines... & now her case highlights the dangers of impaired driving... I hope it does something to raise awareness about it 
her history with DUI is alarming and this just shows how serious it is to get behind the wheel impaired 