Cherokee County

Drunk driver sentenced to 19 years for crash that killed Woodstock woman

WOODSTOCK, Ga. — A woman has been sentenced to nearly two decades after pleading guilty to vehicular homicide in a crash that left one woman dead.

Amelia Brooke Stringer, 32, was sentenced to 19 years on Wednesday for four counts of homicide by vehicle in the first degree, driving under the influence, reckless driving, driving while license suspended, and possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance.

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Stringer caused a multi-car crash in Woodstock in November 2020.

Authorities say she drove her Ford Expedition through a red light on Highway 92, hitting the driver’s side of a Honda Civic driven by Kaitlin “Katy” Jade Martin, 25, which pushed Martin’s car into a Jeep Liberty, which then collided with a GMC Sierra.

Martin was killed from blunt force trauma to the torso. Passengers in the other vehicles were treated for injuries and released.

While investigators were on scene, they noticed an “overwhelming odor” of alcohol coming from Stringer. Her blood alcohol level was tested at 0.12, which is well over the legal limit to drive. She later admitted to drinking Malibu Rum and taking several medications, including Risperdal, Xanax and Methadone.

At the time of the accident, Stringer’s license had been suspended following a DUI in August 2020.

She was arrested several days after the crash when she was released from the hospital.

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“This case should serve as a reminder that the scourge of drunk driving remains in our county, and anyone can be the victim of this crime,” said Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney David Holmes. “This crime is totally preventable if people will simply stop making such selfish decisions.”

Of Stringer’s 19-year sentence, 10 years will be served in prison while the other 9 will be served on probation. While on probation, she will have to complete 240 hours of community service and participate mental health and substance abuse recovery programs.

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, drunk driving is the number one cause of death on roadways.

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