Federal Way woman faces tough new DUI laws
Jul 9, 2012, 4:05 AM | Updated: 2:32 pm
The accident happened the same day new DUI laws went into effect that more than double the possible sentences for people convicted of vehicular homicide. (AP Photo/File)
(AP Photo/File)
A 31-year-old Federal Way woman pleaded not guilty Monday to
vehicular homicide. She is believed to be the first person
in Washington state charged under new, tougher laws that
target impaired drivers who kill.
King County prosecutors say Michelle Dittamore was drunk and
high on prescription medication when she hit another car
head-on, killing the driver. Her 4-year-old son was also in
the vehicle.
The accident occurred on June 7, the same day new laws went
into effect that more than double the possible sentence for
people convicted of vehicular homicide. Under the old laws,
drivers faced between two-and-a-half and three-and-a-half
years in prison. Under new sentencing guidelines, Dittamore
faces from six-and-a-half
years to eight-and-a-half years behind bars.
Another law that went into effect the same day adds a 12-
month enhancement for those who had a child under the age of
16 in the vehicle at the time of the collision.
Dittamore is being held on $250,000 bail.
