DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

Mary Louise Ventura / Acento

The Collegiate Court of the Villa Altagracia Judicial District has sentenced Mary Louise Ventura Garrido to 10 years in prison for the homicide of renowned dancer and actress Patricia Ascuasiati. The ruling comes after the court accepted the prosecution’s case led by fiscal José Andrés Fernández Javier.

The tragic event took place on 15 February 2022, at approximately 4pm, near Kilometer 40 of the Duarte Highway in Villa Altagracia. According to the investigation, the two women, close friends for over 40 years, were traveling in a white sedan driven by Ventura Garrido. The victim reportedly asked Ventura to stop the vehicle after noticing reckless driving.

Upon exiting the car with the intention of taking over the driver’s seat, Patricia Ascuasiati was struck by the vehicle as she crossed in front of it to get into the driver’s seat. Prosecutors argued...