Woman Sentenced to Life for Murdering Boyfriend with Car in Tuscaloosa in 2022

A woman who killed her boyfriend and the father of her three children by intentionally running him over with her vehicle has been sentenced to life in prison, District Attorney Hays Webb announced Thursday.

Anegelica Quintana, now 31, was arrested in February 2022 after she killed 27-year-old Dennis Melton with her car on Interstate 20/59 in Tuscaloosa.

The two Demopolis residents were arguing and Melton got out of their car to walk the side of the road.

Webb said during Quintana's trial, a jury heard evidence that she was heard telling Melton, “If you get out of the car, I am going to watch you die.”

She then drove from the emergency lane on the far left side of the interstate across three lanes of traffic to run him over on the right side of the road.

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Quintana was arrested and charged with murder, and she was convicted after a jury trial in February.

"According to two commercial truck drivers, the Defendant struck the victim from behind, causing him to slam on the hood of the Defendant’s car and then face forward onto the pavement," Webb said in a sentencing announcement. "The Defendant then ran the victim over, dragging him across the pavement. The victim’s bright orange safety vest left an orange drag mark on the pavement, showing the distance he was dragged."

Webb said the state asked for a 25-year sentence, while defense attorney Chad Barnett asked Circuit Judge Daniel Pruet for leniency and to consider the three children she shared with Melton before she killed him.

Pruet did not give leniency. He sentenced Quintana to life in prison, even above the state's recommendation.

"Judge Pruet said he thoroughly reviewed the evidence prior to sentencing and kept going back to the Defendant’s demeanor during trial," Webb said on Facebook. "The Defendant was not emotional and seemed to show no remorse. It was also presented at trial that the Defendant never called 911 or requested emergency assistance."

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