Costa Mesa, California – A woman involved in a tragic road-rage incident that resulted in the death of a 6-year-old boy on the Costa Mesa Freeway has pleaded guilty to being an accessory to the crime. Wynne Lee, the driver during the confrontation, also admitted to carrying a concealed weapon in the vehicle. Lee, 26, has been sentenced to four years in prison, the maximum penalty for her crimes. However, due to custody credits and time served on home confinement, Lee has already completed her sentence.
Standing before Orange County Superior Court Judge Richard King, Lee was faced with the consequences of her actions that led to the fatal shooting of young Aiden Leos back in May 2021. Lee’s boyfriend, Marcus Anthony Eriz, was the one who fired the fatal shot that took the life of the 6-year-old boy while he was seated in a car. Eriz was previously sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for the shooting.
Despite the tragic outcome of the incident, the boy’s parents did not attend Lee’s court hearing. Judge King expressed his decision not to grant Lee probation, emphasizing the severe impact of the crime on a particularly vulnerable victim. He acknowledged that Lee had no prior criminal record but remarked on her actions following the tragic event, where she assisted her boyfriend in evading authorities.
The case unfolded on the freeway in Yorba Linda, where Lee made a peace sign towards Aiden’s mother before a confrontation ensued. The situation escalated, leading to Eriz firing a shot from a 9mm Glock that tragically struck the vehicle and claimed the life of the young boy. Aiden’s mother, Joanna Cloonan, vividly recalls the harrowing moment when the gunshot rang out, resulting in her son’s fatal injuries.
District Attorney Todd Spitzer criticized the state law for allowing defendants like Lee to benefit from day-for-day credits while in home confinement. Spitzer condemned the actions of Lee and Eriz following the incident, stating that they continued their lives as if nothing had happened while Aiden’s loved ones were mourning his loss. The tragic loss of Aiden highlights the devastating consequences of road rage incidents and the importance of accountability in such cases.
The courtroom proceedings shed light on the tragic chain of events that began as a road-rage confrontation but ended in heartbreaking loss. The sentencing of Wynne Lee serves as a reminder of the profound impact of reckless actions on innocent lives and the responsibility that individuals must bear for their conduct on the road. In memory of Aiden Leos, justice has been served, but the scars of this tragic incident will forever remain.