Andrea Wilson, of Norwalk, started to think there would never be an arrest in her daughter’s death after a year passed without one. Monica Wilson, 41, of Westport, was killed in a double fatal wrong-way crash on the Route 8 connector in Bridgeport on July 24, 2022—one day before her birthday. Two of her three sons were in the car with her and were injured.

Now, 13 months later, Wilber Martinez, 36, of Bridgeport, is charged with two counts of manslaughter with a motor vehicle, six counts of reckless endangerment, two counts of risk of injury to a child, operating a motor vehicle under the influence, reckless driving, speeding over 70 mph, driving without a license, and several other motor vehicle charges.

Connecticut State Police said Martinez turned himself in to Troop G on an active arrest warrant Friday afternoon. He was arraigned Monday in Bridgeport Superior Court and is out on $500,000 bond. Andrea Wilson had no idea he was arrested until News 12 contacted her Tuesday morning.

“I didn't want to find out that way because we had an agreement that I’d get a call the minute he got arrested. I don't really know how I feel right now. I'm kind of still numb that it happened. My husband and I are thankful,” Andrea Wilson told News 12 as she tried to hold back tears.

Andrea Wilson said the past 13 months have been spent thinking about her daughter and concerned about the kids, especially the two that were hurt in the crash. She said the youngest broke several bones and had a long recovery.

“I was constantly worried. I get to the point where the anxiety kicks in when they go on the thruway in the car,” Andrea Wilson explained. “So, I’m hoping this arrest will calm me down.”

Wilson said she herself has tried to avoid all highways since her daughter’s death. That night, Monica Wilson was heading home with her 7-year-old and 8-year-old sons after a friend’s barbecue in Bridgeport.

“If she had just left a little sooner or a little later, it would never have happened,” Andrea Wilson told News 12. “The ‘what ifs’ is what kills you.”-

According to Martinez’s arrest warrant, the crash happened around 8:30 p.m. after Martinez used an exit ramp to drive onto the connector in the wrong direction and hit three cars. He was speeding away from a hit- and-run at Park Avenue and South Frontage Road at the time, the warrant said. In an interview with police, Martinez allegedly admitted to drinking alcohol at the beach earlier in the day but said he did not remember how much. Testing determined his blood alcohol level was 0.2, two-and-a half times the legal limit, according to the warrant.

Police said Martinez’s passenger, Ananias Castillo-Icabalzeta, 47,of Bridgeport, was thrown from the van and died at the scene. Several people also went to the hospital hurt, including Martinez.

“I prayed that he'd stay alive just so I could see the day that I could look at him in his face and get justice for Monica and the boys,” Andrea Wilson said.

Though she wasn’t at Martinez’s arraignment, she plans on being there for his hearings going forward.

“I just want this man to pay the price. That's it. People keep talking about forgiveness. I can't do that. I just can't. I don't have it in me,” said Andrea Wilson.

State police said it’s typical for fatal car crash investigations to take several months to over a year to complete. Andrea Wilson is now gearing up for an even longer wait—for the case to be resolved in the legal system.

“I'll just have to be patient and cross my fingers and hope for the best outcome and just get through it,” Andrea Wilson said.

Martinez is due back in Bridgeport Superior Court on Sept. 29.