WASHINGTON – A D.C. woman who killed a pedestrian when her car pinned the woman to a tree has been sentenced to seven years in prison for involuntary manslaughter and driving under the influence.
Maria N. Werts, 49, of D.C., agreed to the plea deal in May.
A judge Friday accepted the plea Friday. After her prison term is served, Werts will be on five years of supervised release.
Werts admitted drinking malt liquor and smoking crack cocaine before getting behind the wheel of her 2010 Toyota Yaris on April 28, according to U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr.
Werts instantly killed Emmajean Gainey, 58, of D.C., when she lost control of her car and drove onto the sidewalk of South Capitol Street that Sunday afternoon.
The prosecutor says Gainey and a companion tried to avoid being struck but Werts struck her head-on, pinning her against a tree between the sidewalk and street.
Machen, in a news release, said witnesses tried to push the car away from Gainey’s body and stopped Werts as she tried to leave the scene.
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