• 16
  • April
    2010

A $75 million wrongful death lawsuit was filed earlier this month against Tiffany St. Ives in San Diego County court. St. Ives was arrested in February for her role in a fatal hit-and-run accident that killed Marlene Resendiz back in 2007.

Resendiz was struck as she crossed a street in Escondido - just weeks before she was to be married. Immediately following the accident, St. Ives continued driving, carrying Resendiz for nearly 200 yards before slowing down enough for Resendiz to slide off the car. She then sped away.

St. Ives is known throughout San Diego for her animal sanctuary, The Purple Cow, which is a registered corporation. The attorney representing Resendiz's family believes that St. Ives may have been on the job at the time of the accident, bringing into play any insurance the sanctuary may have. St. Ive's is also believed to have substantial assets.

The question asked by many involved in the case is how St. Ives, who cared so much for animals, could show such disregard for human life.

Following the fatal accident, she bleached her car, fixed the damage with salvaged parts, repainted it, and attempted to have the car sold in Mexico. She was turned in by an acquaintance whose help she had sought in getting rid of the vehicle.

St. Ives criminal trial is expected to take place in San Diego County later this year. Under California statute, she could face up to four years in prison for the hit and run charges, alone.

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