RHODE ISLAND WOMAN KILLED A YOUNG MAN IN A DUI CRASH. HERE’S HOW LONG SHE WILL SERVE IN PRISON.

A Rhode Island woman involved in a deadly DUI crash will spend almost a decade in prison.

Last week, Kent County Superior Court Justice David Cruise handed Audriana Hill, 33, a term of fifteen years in prison for the vehicular death of 25-year-old Caleb Winfrey. Hill pleaded guilty to one count of driving under the influence, resulting in death.  

“This tragedy was completely avoidable, and unfortunately we see impaired driving cases like this one all too often. While there is no justice that can undo the pain caused to this victim’s family, I commend their bravery in making sure the defendant was held accountable,” said Warwick Police Chief Bradford Connor, reported WPRI.com.

During the rush hour traffic of Dec. 7, 2021, Warwick Police Department and the emergency personnel responded to the intersection of West Natick Road and Bald Hill Road after reports of an accident. Upon arrival at the crash site, they found the defendant in a 2021 Kia K5 while the victim was in a 2016 Toyota Corolla. After rescuing both Winfrey and Hill from their mangled vehicles, the duo was transported to Rhode Island Hospital.

According to Newport Buzz, first responders found small empty containers of alcohol in the defendant’s clothes. In addition, four other empty alcohol bottles were found near her car, and her breath was wreaked of alcohol. Hence, Hill was subjected to a blood test which showed a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.165%, which was twice the legal limit.

During the investigation, witnesses told authorities Hill drove through the red light without applying brakes before crashing into Winfrey. Furthermore, investigators determined the defendant was driving around 81 miles per hour.

Winfrey died two weeks after the crash. He was a data analyst for the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals.

Cruise suspended seven years of Hill’s sentence and ordered her to serve an additional 15 years probation upon her release. The defendant already had two prior DUI convictions.