MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A 45-year-old woman was sentenced Thursday for her role in a Marion County crash that claimed the life of a 60-year-old.
Angenette Marie Welk, who pleaded no contest to a charge of driving under the influence manslaughter, was sentenced to 11 years in prison. She was also fined $5,000 and given 15 years of probation. In addition, Welk must write a letter every year in May documenting what she's learned from the crash.
Officials said Welk, who married days after the fatal crash and is also known as Angenette Missett, had a blood alcohol level of 0.189 when she crashed into Sandra Clarkston's vehicle in May 2018 at 73 mph.
Investigators said they found an empty vodka bottle in her car.
Welk further made headlines because her mugshot, taken after the fatal crash, showed her with a big smile.
"I would like to start by saying how sorry I am for this tragic loss. You’ve lost a mother, a sister, an aunt, a loved one. I don’t have the words," Welk said at her sentencing hearing.
Earlier, she explained what happened.
“Moments before the collision, my phone slipped out of my hands and I saw a car and I served,” said Welk, who added that she had consumed alcohol because she was stressed, but said she felt fine.
Welk's oldest daughter also testified.
"I love you and you're still going to be my mom. I know people make mistakes. Yes, she did something horrible and I do apologize to the family," she said.
"The person who smiled in that mugshot is not the person that I know," said Leyla Claros, Welk's friend.
Welk's attorney said there was a reason she was smiling in the mugshot.
"How do you act when you get nervous?" the attorney asked.
"I smile and giggle," Welk said.
Clarkston’s twin brother was one of four family members to take the stand. He was in tears as he showed pictures of his sister.
Sandra Clarkston’s twin brother is now testifying. He’s the 4th family member to speak in front of the court. He’s showing pictures of his beloved sister.
— Ezzy Castro (@EzzyCastro) May 16, 2019
He’s in tears. @news6wkmg pic.twitter.com/J9F2yLvhwe
"I lost a piece of me that I will never get back," said Clarkston's daughter, Keonna. "Knowing that the defendant was driving drunk makes me sick."
Here’s the car Sandra Clarkston was in a year ago. “My mother was senselessly and recklessly taken from me.” Said her daughter, Keonna Sciacca.
— Ezzy Castro (@EzzyCastro) May 16, 2019
She said in her testimony that her mother had a stroke, brain damage, and was bleeding following the crash. @news6wkmg pic.twitter.com/ASHWBq5QEp
Welk faced a maximum sentence of 17 years in prison.
Welk is in tears saying she kept saying “I’m sorry, I’m sorry” at the scene of the crash on May 10, 2018 @news6wkmg pic.twitter.com/80pXGNZ4Ln
— Ezzy Castro (@EzzyCastro) May 16, 2019
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