A Year After Beloved Counselor’s Death, Driver Sentenced in Cannabis-Impaired Crash
Justino William Faenzi-Glass [Image from Facebook post of Mendocino County DA]
Nearly a year after the death of beloved Laytonville counselor Sally Ann Teegarden, the man who crossed the centerline and struck her vehicle head-on while driving impaired by cannabis has been sentenced to state prison.
On Wednesday afternoon, 44-year-old Justino William Faenzi-Glass of Santa Rosa was sentenced to 76 months in state prison by Mendocino County Superior Court Judge Keith Faulder, according to a Facebook post the Mendocino County District Attorney.
Faenzi-Glass was convicted of felony driving while impaired by cannabis in connection with the July 2025 crash that killed Teegarden, a longtime counselor and recovery mentor known throughout Southern Humboldt and northern Mendocino County for helping people overcome addiction and rebuild their lives.
Sally Ann Teegarden [Photo provided by her partner Mitch Peirson]
The collision occurred on Highway 101 near milepost 76 in northern Mendocino County. Investigators said Faenzi-Glass crossed into oncoming traffic and slammed into Teegarden’s Honda CRV while driving with two young passengers in his vehicle.
Teegarden, 74, died at the scene.
For many in the region, the tragedy carried a cruel irony. Teegarden had spent decades helping people confront substance abuse. A recovering alcoholic herself, she had been sober for nearly 37 years, according to her longtime partner Mitch Peirson.
“She was really kind. Really, really fucking kind,” he remembered. “Always willing to help anybody.”
Teegarden worked for years out of counseling offices in Garberville and Redway, helping people through addiction, grief, and personal crises. Peirson said strangers would often approach him to tell him how much she had changed their lives.
“People come up to me and say, ‘Your wife helped me so much,’ and I don’t even know who they are,” he said.
The sentencing itself was delayed for months while the court sought additional information about Faenzi-Glass’s mental health. According to the District Attorney’s Office, the original sentencing had been scheduled for January 15, but Judge Faulder ordered a diagnostic evaluation under Penal Code section 1203.03.
Faenzi-Glass was transported to a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation facility for a 90-day observation period, where he was evaluated by a clinical forensic psychologist and correctional counselor. The resulting recommendation from prison officials was ultimately “not favorable to the defendant,” according to prosecutors.
Because the conviction qualifies as a violent felony, it will count as a future strike offense under California law. Prosecutors also noted that his incarceration credits are statutorily limited to no more than 15 percent off his sentence.
Mendocino County District Attorney David Eyster used the sentencing to talk about what he described as the dangers of driving while impaired by cannabis. He said, “He initiated a collision in her lane with her oncoming car while he was driving impaired by cannabis with two young passengers onboard in his vehicle.”
“Driving under the influence of cannabis can — and does — impair reaction time, coordination, judgment, and attention,” Eyster stated. “Even if cannabis is legally used, getting behind the wheel while impaired can lead to accidents, injuries, or, unfortunately as evidenced by the preventable death in this case, fatalities.”
Now, nearly a year later, the criminal case has reached its conclusion. But for the many people Teegarden counseled, encouraged, and steadied over the decades, the good she did lives on.
“She changed people’s lives,” Brady said. “She changed mine.”
Earlier:
- Traffic Collision North of Laytonville Leaves One Dead; Highway 101 Blocked
- Man Arrested in Alleged DUI Near Laytonville Yesterday That Left One Dead
- Beloved Local Counselor Who Helped Others Stay Sober Killed by Drunk Driver Near Laytonville
- Celebration of Life for Beloved Counselor Sally Ann Teegarden at Black Oak Ranch
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While obviously a tragedy, im not so sure the penalties are based on science rather than socialization. Anytime a loved community member is lost in an accident we want to exact revenge, and in this case at least there was an excuse. (Too bad revenge never brings back the victim)
I feel like the bigger problem is people not taking driving seriously. Do we even have driver’s ed in highschool anymore? When I was a highscooler driver’s ed was an afterthought taught by the PE coach.
I wonder if on weed or not this guy regularly drove recklessly. I know mild sober, vegan, sound healing spiritualists who transform into Dale Earnhardt as soon as they get behind the wheel of their Rav4. Smoking eating drinking anything while driving is a distraction. So what’s worse? The physiological effects of weed or the distraction of holding, lighting, smoking, and dropping the ember between your legs? Is that worse than dropping tacos, or spilling your coffee?
Most new cars come with a huge tv screen on the console. How does that help you keep your eyes on the road? How many unprosecuted wrecks occured by people looking away at the screen that is designed into the 70 mph, 3,000 lb land torpedo?
Id like to see a reference to the research Eyester used to claim that marijuana reduces reaction time. Alcohol has predictable dose/body mass effects that holds true pretty much universally. If marijuana has such clear cut predictable effects there should be ample evidence.
Im not trying to minimize the loss of Sally Ann Teegarden, but would we resign our outrage if it was just another person slinging their car around right on the edge of control? Most of us are not such great drivers, luck can masquerade as skill. If this dude crossed the yellow line just seconds later, we’d never know his name.
Sitting this guy in prison for five years doesn’t really win. We pay for three hots and a cot, Sally doesn’t return, those kids lose a dad, and whatever income he brought in. Id rather see five years of community service.
He got off way too easy.
I’d rather see an eye for an eye.
They work while in prison and make a wage that goes towards restitution. Some also end up on CalFire teams of all places. Community service allows them to be home and just show up a few days a week. The point of prison time is to keep them out and away from society for a bit so they can’t commit more crimes. Not sure that’s what you really want. The victims I’m sure would like to see them locked up for longer than 5 years, especially for a death.
It sounds like your rationalizing the fact this guy was driving stoned or comparing it to eating or drinking coffee.Drinking cofee while driving is not illegal smoking dope is.
Oh. It’s illegal. Well that clears it up. No more thinky required.
If we checked for coffee or other caffeinated beverages after wrecks, there’d be a strong correlation, maybe 90%. Does that mean caffeine causes wrecks? It does change your mental and physical state.
I want to see the study that demonstrates marijuana consumers get into more wrecks than non consumers.
In any case this socialization of “Weed Bad” resulted in a Violent Felony conviction rather than a Negligent Homicide. So, probably not going to work at a Fire Camp. I thought the term “violent felony” implies malice, forethought, and intent.
I’m adjacent from someone who did less time when it involved A LOT of Methany, and 2 people lost their lives. Make it make sense.
If I lost a loved one in such a circumstance I doubt the driver going to prison would bring me any. Satisfaction. But most people seem to somehow gain closer as long as someone is suffering.