Costa Mesa, California – A woman involved in a tragic road rage incident on the Costa Mesa Freeway that led to the death of a 6-year-old boy in a car seat has pleaded guilty to being an accessory to the crime. Wynne Lee, 26, was also convicted of carrying a concealed weapon in the vehicle. Lee was sentenced to four years in prison, the maximum penalty, but due to custody credits and time served on home confinement, she has already completed her sentence.
Lee’s boyfriend, Marcus Anthony Eriz, was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for firing the fatal shot that killed Aiden Leos on the freeway in Yorba Linda. The boy’s parents did not attend the recent hearing, as noted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Dan Feldman.
Orange County Superior Court Judge Richard King emphasized that Lee would not be granted probation due to her involvement in a violent crime against a particularly vulnerable victim. He highlighted Lee’s awareness of the crime and her subsequent actions to help her boyfriend evade authorities. Despite no prior criminal record, King did not overlook Lee’s contribution to the tragic outcome.
The incident occurred when Lee and Eriz cut off Aiden’s mother, Joanna Cloonan, on the freeway. Lee’s mocking gesture escalated into a deadly confrontation that resulted in the fatal shooting of Aiden, who was seated in the back of Cloonan’s vehicle. The emotional impact on Cloonan was described as aggravating by Judge King.
Following the shooting, Lee and Eriz, who both worked at a collision repair shop, attempted to conceal their involvement in the crime. Despite objections from the prosecution, Lee’s bail was reduced, allowing her to remain in home confinement. Authorities criticized the leniency of state laws that permitted Lee to serve her sentence outside of a jail cell.
The tragic loss of Aiden sparked outrage within the Orange County community. District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned the state’s laws that allowed Lee and Eriz to evade the consequences of their actions. The lack of accountability for those involved in Aiden’s death underscored the need for stricter penalties and a reevaluation of the justice system’s approach to cases of this nature.