Driver pleads guilty in Junction City girl's death
By Associated PressSALEM, Ore. (AP) — An Albany woman who acknowledged huffing nitrous oxide before a crash that killed a 16-year-old Junction City girl has been sentenced to more than eight years in prison.
Falon Rae Williams, 23, pleaded guilty Monday to manslaughter, assault and driving under the influence. Williams, who has two children under the age of 3, had taken a hit from a nitrous oxide canister, commonly known as a "whip-it," while driving her 2002 Ford Taurus Aug. 25. She blacked out and crashed into a tree about 12 feet off the roadway. The crash killed Rebeckah Jo Ann Crisman, who was a passenger in the right rear seat. Two other passengers were injured. Michael Matthews of Tangent had a broken leg and Paul Hartzell of Jefferson suffered internal injuries. Matthews and Williams had marriage plans before the crash changed their lives, Williams' attorney, Jason Thompson, told the Statesman Journal newspaper The victim's mother, Tana Tannner, attended the sentencing. She presented a slideshow because she didn't think her emotions would let her complete a statement. "These slides and her ashes, which I have in front of you, are all I have left of her memories," Tanner said. Williams, 23, started crying when she saw the slideshow photos of Crisman, and apologized through sobs. "I wish I could change it all and she could be here," Williams said. "I wish I could trade with her. I wish I could take away all your pains and sufferings. It was an accident, I didn't mean for her to get hurt and I am truly sorry." Marion County Judge Lynn Ashcroft handed down the sentence. Williams got more than six years in prison for manslaughter and 13-month sentences for each of two assault charges. Her one year sentence for driving under the influence will be served at the same time she is serving her other sentences. "What happened that night is in your hands, and what happens in the rest of your life is in your hands, no one else's," Ashcroft told Williams. (Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.)
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