Man Sentenced to 27 Years for DUI Crash that Killed Best Friend and Pregnant Woman

The 23-year-old driver was speeding and had a blood alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit when he crashed, resulting in two deaths.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A York County judge sentenced 23-year-old Hunter Nelson Arnold to 27 years in prison for a DUI crash in Yorktown, Virginia that killed his best friend, James Leslie Stewart, and a 34-year-old pregnant woman, Abigail Pedroza Navarro. Arnold was driving 84 mph in a 35 mph zone with a blood alcohol content of 0.15% when he lost control of his vehicle and struck Pedroza Navarro's car, killing her and her unborn child. Arnold had prior DUI convictions and pleaded guilty to two counts of felony murder, one count of felony DUI, and one count of felony maiming.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the devastating consequences of drunk and reckless driving, which continues to be a major public safety issue. The case also raises questions about repeat DUI offenders and whether current laws and sentencing guidelines are sufficient to deter such behavior and protect innocent lives.

The details

On the night of the crash, witnesses said Arnold's speeding Dodge Challenger swerved out of control before hitting Pedroza Navarro's Honda Fit near the Colonial Parkway entrance. Arnold's best friend, James Leslie Stewart, was a passenger in the Challenger and was killed at the scene. Pedroza Navarro, who was seven months pregnant, died en route to the hospital. Doctors performed an emergency C-section but were unable to save the unborn baby. The Honda's driver suffered a serious leg injury but survived. Arnold was flown to the hospital and released five days later. He admitted to drinking five or six shots of whiskey and smoking marijuana prior to the crash.

  • The fatal crash occurred on April 3, 2025 just after 8:15 pm.
  • Arnold had a prior DUI conviction in 2021 when he was 20 years old, and a second DUI conviction just 9 days after the first.
  • In November, Arnold pleaded guilty to the charges related to the crash.

The players

Hunter Nelson Arnold

A 23-year-old man who was sentenced to 27 years in prison for the DUI crash that killed his best friend and a pregnant woman. Arnold had a history of prior DUI convictions.

James Leslie Stewart

Arnold's 21-year-old best friend who was a passenger in the Challenger and was killed in the crash.

Abigail Pedroza Navarro

A 34-year-old pregnant woman who was driving the Honda Fit that was struck by Arnold's vehicle. Pedroza Navarro and her unborn child were killed in the crash.

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What they’re saying

“This was a devastating and entirely preventable tragedy.”

— Krystyn Reid, York-Poquoson Commonwealth's Attorney (News release)

“Everyone deserves the right to get home safely. That did not happen for the victims on April 3rd, 2025.”

— Krystyn Reid, York-Poquoson Commonwealth's Attorney (News release)

What’s next

The judge's 27-year sentence for Arnold reflects the seriousness of repeated impaired driving and the irreversible harm it can cause. This case may prompt further discussions about strengthening DUI laws and sentencing guidelines to better deter such behavior and protect public safety.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the devastating human toll of drunk and reckless driving, which continues to be a major public health and safety issue. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible driving and the need for stronger measures to prevent repeat DUI offenders from putting innocent lives at risk.