Costa Mesa, California – A woman involved in a road-rage incident on the Costa Mesa Freeway that led to the tragic death of a 6-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to her role in the crime. Wynne Lee, 26, admitted to being an accessory to the crime and carrying a concealed weapon in the vehicle. As a result, she was sentenced to four years behind bars, the maximum punishment allowed. However, due to custody credits and time spent on home confinement, Lee has already completed her sentence.
The incident occurred on May 21, 2021, when Lee’s boyfriend, Marcus Anthony Eriz, fired a shot that killed Aiden Leos on the freeway in Yorba Linda. Eriz was later sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for the heinous act. The boy’s parents did not attend the hearing where Lee was sentenced.
During the proceedings, Judge Richard King made it clear that probation would not be granted to Lee as she was a contributing factor to a crime of great violence against a particularly vulnerable victim. Despite having no prior criminal record, Lee’s involvement in helping her boyfriend evade authorities was deemed unacceptable by the court.
The tragic incident unfolded as Aiden’s mother, Joanna Cloonan, was driving her son to kindergarten when their vehicle was cut off by Lee and Eriz in a Volkswagen. After a series of escalating gestures and actions on the road, Eriz fired a shot from his car, ultimately hitting and killing the young boy.
Prosecutors revealed that Lee and Eriz, who lived together in Costa Mesa, were on their way to work when the fatal shot was fired. Following the crime, Lee allowed Eriz to keep a loaded handgun in their shared vehicle. Despite these disturbing details, Lee’s bail was later reduced, and she was placed on home confinement under strict conditions.
District Attorney Todd Spitzer criticized state laws that allowed for lenient treatment of offenders like Lee, who assisted in covering up such a serious crime. Spitzer condemned the actions of Lee and Eriz, highlighting the disparity between their freedom and the tragic loss suffered by Aiden’s family. The community, along with Spitzer, expressed outrage at the leniency shown to individuals involved in such an egregious crime.