Vilma Almanza-Siles, (Dawson County Sheriff's Office, Courtesy)
LEXINGTON — A Lexington woman accused of motor vehicle homicide pleaded no contest to amended charges in Dawson County District Court on June 30.
Vilma Almanza-Siles 42, had been charged with motor vehicle homicide – DUI, Class 2A felony; driving under the influence – first offense, Class W misdemeanor and no operator’s license, Class 3 misdemeanor.
Per amended information submitted in the court, the state amended the first charged to motor vehicle homicide – reckless/willful, a Class 3A felony and dismissed the other two charges.
Appearing in court, Almanza-Siles pleaded no contest to the amended charges. A no contest plea is neither an admission nor denial of guilt, but the plea is treated the same as a guilty plea.
A sentencing date was set for Aug. 18 at 9 a.m.
According to court documents, on June 2, 2024, officers with the Lexington Police Department were dispatched to the Poderosa Apartments in reference to a motor vehicle accident that involved a pedestrian with injuries.
Arriving on scene, officers made contact with Yuniesky Diaz-Gomez, 38, who was on the ground and had significant injuries after being hit by a vehicle driven by Almanza-Siles.
Investigations at the scene revealed Almanza-Siles was in a relationship with Diaz-Gomez.
Witnesses reported that the two had engaged in an argument upon their arrival home, during which Almanza-Siles attempted to leave.
Diaz-Gomez stepped in front of the vehicle in an attempt to prevent her from leaving and was struck by the moving vehicle.
Diaz-Gomez was later transported to the Lexington Regional Health Center where he later died due to his injuries.
Almanza-Siles was taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Officers say she submitted a breath test which indicated under .15.
Almanza-Siles was then booked into the Dawson County Jail.
