Woman gives astonishing defense after allegedly killing high school sweethearts driving home from birthday party

By JOE HUTCHISON, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 13:54, 25 May 2026 | Updated: 13:55, 25 May 2026 A young woman told police she had 'drank one twisted tea' after colliding with an Uber driver and killing a couple inside, court papers said. Annabell Correa, 22, is awaiting trial over the deaths of Desiree and Max Mooney, both 30, after a crash that killed the couple in March of last year in Bakersfield, California.  According to court files obtained by Bakersfield Now, Correa told investigators: 'I drank one twisted tea, bro.' The papers also said that she blurted out: 'I'm never seeing my kid huh, just because I drove and drank one, two drinks.' At the time of the fatal collision, Correa, who was 21, failed to stop for a red light before hitting the vehicle carrying the high school sweethearts, it is alleged.  Desiree and Max were returning from a Saint Patrick's Day celebration inside an Uber when Correa plowed into them. Max died at the scene, Desiree died in hospital. At a preliminary hearing in February of this year the court was shown harrowing footage of the collision, with the two cars colliding at speed. The court heard that Correa was traveling at 82mph as she ran the red light, colliding with the Uber driver, who was driving at 73 mph, according to KGET. Max and Desiree Mooney, pictured here, died after the crash in Bakersfield last March At the time of the fatal collision, Correa, seen here in court, failed to stop for a red light before hitting the vehicle carrying the high school sweethearts Inside the vehicle at the time with the Mooneys was their friend Tayler Wells who, alongside the driver, suffered severe injuries. The court heard that Wells broke several bones to the right side of her body, lost several teeth and had to learn how to walk again. Correa was found to have a blood alcohol level of 0.088 percent, which is above the legal limit of 0.080 percent. She was also allegedly driving without a license.  She is facing ten charges including two counts of murder and is set to face a trial in August of this year. She has pleaded not guilty. Max's uncle Larry Baker previously told KBAK that the couple had just returned to Bakersfield after living in San Diego and planned to buy their first home together.  He said the two met each other in high school, his nephew was a union electrician while Desiree worked for an accounting firm.  Family and friends gathered round each other in the aftermath of their deaths, with a fundraiser raising over $27,000 to help them.  A post said: 'Desiree had just celebrated her 30th birthday in January and like any couple were enjoying their lives responsibly.  The court heard that Correa was traveling at 82mph as she ran the red light, colliding with the Uber driver, who was driving at 73 mph. The aftermath of the collision is seen here According to a family member, the two met in high school  'Last Sunday morning, March 16th, they went out and though they made a good decision by contacting an Uber driver to take them home, another girl did not, she chose to drive that morning, under the influence.  'Her vehicle collided with the one Desiree and Max were in taking both Desiree’s and Max’s lives and injuring not only the Uber driver but others on the road that morning.  'No parent should bury their children, but it is with that need that I come to you on behalf of the Garcia and Mooney families.  'Several families lost their children that day, and while some will recover the void of the loss of Desiree and Max will be felt forever.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.