Suspected DUI driver expected to testify in case that killed stepfather, teen

CHULA VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The trial began for the woman accused of driving drunk and crashing into a teenage girl and her stepdad in June 2022 in National City.

Tayishe Baltys, who was 44 at the time, is accused of DUI and killing 15-year-old Jessica “Lola” Talamante and 39-year-old Brian McKee on June 22, 2022.

During opening statements of the trial on Wednesday, the prosecution's case aims to show Baltys' blood alcohol level was a .15 and .16 after the crash, and should be convicted of murder. But the defense's seems to claim the device wasn't properly calibrated and the crash was a "tragic accident," and she should only be convicted of DUI, as well as a prior DUI.

Officer Fischer's body camera was shown in court, he was the first witness called to the stand int he trial, and one of the first police officers on scene that day.

The prosecution claimed Baltys denied drinking. Video shows she had several drinks at Dave and Buster's in Mission Valley, including a beer, a 'supercharged margarita,' and two shots of tequila, just before getting in her car.

According to the prosecution, Baltys left Dave and Buster's and put her home address into Waze. Instead, an hour and 10 minutes later, she ended up off course in National City, well east and past her home.

“She made the choice to drink for three hours at Dave and Busters, two shots for the road when she left, and get in her car and drive home," the deputy district attorney prosecuting the case said.

“We are confident in your ability to question the DA’s version of a murder case instead of the tragic unforeseen and unavoidable accident," the defense attorney said to the jury in this case during opening statements.

The defense attorney claims the crash was a "tragic accident" on a dark and dangerous road, and even an official report claims a sober person couldn't have avoided the crash. That report has not yet been put into evidence in the case.

“Ladies and gentleman at the end of this trial, I will ask you to find Ms. Baltys guilty of the murders of Jessica Talamante and Brian McKee, as well as driving under the influence, as well as having a prior DUI," the deputy district attorney prosecuting the case said to the jury during her opening statements Wednesday morning.

“The horrific accident that happened on June 22, 2022, was not because of Trish's drinking and driving, it was because it was due to forces unforeseen, unavoidable, outside of her control, outside of any sober person’s control," the defense attorney said to the jury in this case during opening statements, noting that Baltys also goes by "Trish."

Baltys is expected to testify in her own defense during this trial. She faces 30 years to life behind bars.

The trial is expected to last a couple of weeks.