12 years in prison for DUI

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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Feb. 7 (UPI) -- A Virginia woman has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for driving under the influence in a crash that critically injured three members of a family.

Sandra Leigh Hofstadler pleaded guilty in September to maiming while driving under the influence, driving under the influence for a second time within a five-to-10 year period and failing to stop for a school bus.

Circuit Judge Les L. Lilley sentenced Hofstadler Wednesday to the maximum term of 12 years in prison, The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot reported. Lilley added 10 days to the sentence for reckless driving, fined her $6,000 and ordered her license revoked permanently, the newspaper said.

Hofstadler was under the influence of cocaine Jan. 19, 2012, when she went around a school bus that was stopped with its lights flashing and safety arm extended. She struck David Yancy Sr., his son, David Yancy Jr., 5, his daughter, Samyiah Yancy, 7, and his niece, Neyahni Boyd, 7.

David Yancy Sr., who was walking the children to the bus stop, ended up with a metal rod in his leg. David Yancy Jr. was hospitalized and underwent seven surgeries for traumatic brain injury. Boyd suffered a broken leg and Samyiah Yancy suffered what the newspaper described as minor injuries.

Hofstadler had previously been convicted of drunken driving, cocaine possession, fraud, forgery and credit card larceny, the report said.