Arrest and Sentencing

It was a tragic evening for the city of San Marcos and several students of San Marcos High School. Andrew Baird, 17, a senior at the local high school was arrested at the scene of a drunk driving incident for his impairment that led to the death of five students between the ages of 16-18, and paralyzing another fellow senior. Baird was coming home from a party where alcohol was severed and recklessly drove while impaired; his blood alcohol level being well over the legal limit of what would be for someone of twenty-one years of age and over, colliding with a car carrying teens from the same school killing the three in Mackenzie Kirkwood’s car. Only Isiah Hennie, 17, was killed in Baird’s car while paralyzing Christina Clermont, 18.

The Encinitas Police Department were the arresting officers in the case, delivering Baird his Miranda rights as both the Encinitas and San Marcos Fire Department rushed to the scene. Baird was first given a breathalyzer test at the scene as well as at the Encinitas Police Station.  He was also fingerprinted and given a blue jumpsuit to inform other officers of his being underage which he changed into at the sheriff station.



Later at Baird's sentencing Thomas Sarjeant spoke on behalf of the Clairemont family after him speaking, Mrs. Hennie spoke on behalf of her son’s death she told the court how much of a tragedy it was because now the biggest thing in her life was missing. Andrew Baird was sentenced ten years in jail without parole. The Jury found Andrew guilty of 4 counts of involuntary vehicular man slaughter and the paralyzing of Christina Clairemont a former high school softball star. He was also charged with reckless endangerment and driving under the influence of alcohol 3 times above the legal limit. The families of the students lost wanted Andrew to pay for the price of the loss of their beautiful children that they will never be able to bring back. Mrs. Hennie cried, “You may one day come out of jail and go back to living your life, but my child will never be able to or live his dream as becoming a professional football player”. Andrew also gave his heart felt speech to the families of the court room and the Judge.