Home / Crime and Justice / Drunk Driver's Plea Deal Ends Hanford Mom's Tragedy
Drunk Driver's Plea Deal Ends Hanford Mom's Tragedy
8 Apr
Summary
- Phillip Chavez-Macias pleaded guilty to killing Kellie Rivera.
- Chavez-Macias received a combined 17-year sentence.
- The victim's family expressed forgiveness despite their pain.
A Hanford mother of four, Kellie Rivera, died in December 2024 after being struck by a drunk driver, Phillip Chavez-Macias. The legal proceedings concluded on Tuesday, April 8, 2026, with Chavez-Macias entering a plea deal. This resolution came after 16 months since Rivera's death shocked the community.
Chavez-Macias, who was facing potential murder charges, will serve a combined sentence of 17 years. Kings County District Attorney Sarah Hacker confirmed he will serve 10 years, immediately followed by 7 years. Jonathan Rivera, Kellie's husband and a Hanford police officer, is now raising their four children, who were between 4 and 15 years old at the time of their mother's death.
Loved ones delivered emotional victim impact statements in court, describing Kellie as a loving mother and a kind individual. Despite immense heartbreak, many, including Jonathan Rivera, shared that they have chosen forgiveness, citing their faith. The eldest child shared a poem honoring his mother's memory, marking a poignant moment for the family as they navigate their loss.
