A woman from Reidsville recently pled guilty to aggravated death by motor vehicle in Alamance County Superior Court after the passenger in her vehicle lost his life in a 2009 accident. Official documents indicated that the woman had a "strong odor of alcohol" about her at the time of the fatal crash, which tragically took the life of a 41-year-old Pelham man. The accident involved only one vehicle.

In exchange for the woman's guilty plea, the court dropped a second-degree murder charge and a charge of aggravated felony death by motor vehicle. She had also been accused of DWI. A superior court judge sentenced the woman to 38 to 51 months in prison, a minimum of three years and two months, and a maximum of four years and three months. The judge also recommended that the woman engage in a paid work release program in order to pay about $970 in restitution, court costs and other fees.

It was reported that the woman was driving at 70 miles per hour in a 55 zone at the time of the accident. A state trooper noted that she slurred her speech and had glassy, red eyes. Apparently, a blood-alcohol test didn't turn up any traces of alcohol but did indicate traces of citalopram -- an anti-depressant -- in the woman's bloodstream.

When the fatal crash occurred, the Reidsville woman was in possession of a provisional license that allowed her to drive if only she didn't drink any alcohol beforehand. She had been given the provisional license as a condition of a prior DWI conviction.

There was no word in a local news report with regard to any pending personal injury claims against the woman. Such a lawsuit would likely include a wrongful death claim that seeks to prove recklessness or negligence on the part of the driver. Many families file such claims to seek compensation for funeral expenses, lost wages and any pain and suffering that may have resulted from an accident. North Carolina residents who are mourning the loss of a loved one may benefit from consulting with a legal professional who can help ease any financial burdens during what is already a painful and trying time.

Source: news-record.com, "Reidsville woman pleads guilty in 2009 DWI death," Jan. 9, 2012