Gainesville teen pleads guilty in car wreck death
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By Amanda Stewart
Published: July 15, 2008
A Gainesville teen pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for a November car crash that killed a 19-year-old woman.
Ashley Brook Colter, 18, of 8124 Willingboro Court, pleaded guilty in Prince William Circuit Court on Tuesday for the Nov. 11 car accident that killed 19-year-old Hannah Leigh Boyd of Burford, Ga., a passenger in Colter's car.
Prosecutors dropped charges of driving under the influence and maiming as a result of DUI.
Prosecutors said that Colter was drinking at a party in the Gainesville area in the early morning hours of Nov. 11.
At some point she and three friends decided to leave the party and Colter drove the group in her 2000 Volkswagen Jetta.
Witnesses said Colter drove down Braemar Parkway in Bristow at a high rate of speed, jerking the steering wheel back and forth and weaving back and forth on the road.
The other passengers asked her to stop, but she did not, prosecutors said.
Eventually, Colter lost control of the car near the intersection of Braemar Parkway and Garlock Way shortly before 3 a.m.
The car crossed the median and hit a tree before flipping and coming to a rest on its roof, prosecutors said.
Boyd, who had been sleeping in the rear passenger seat, was thrown from the car and died at the scene.
According to a medical examiner's report, Boyd died of blunt force trauma and thermal injuries.
Another passenger, a 20-year-old man, suffered a broken arm and other injuries in the accident, prosecutors said.
The third passenger was not injured.
Colter was taken to an area hospital where she was treated for minor injuries.
At the hospital, her blood alcohol content was 0.167, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08.
Colter is being held without bond pending a sentencing hearing on Oct. 10. She faces up to 10 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter.
Staff writer Amanda Stewart can be reached at 703-878-8014.
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Reader Reactions
Posted by ( wishlucktb ) on July 29, 2008 at 2:36 pm
In reading this article, I believe that the witnesses are not telling the truth. I feel as if some of them were trying to cover something up. I know personally that one in particular is not an honest person. That specific person has a bad rap sheet, fortunately nothing tragic like this has happened to them. The driver, is a good person at heart and would never intentionally do this to a person. And if you were to say so, you are a sick person at heart. The driver will have to live with the fears and emotions for the rest of her life as well as everyone else that is involved in this tragedy. My heart and prayers are sent out to everyone involved.
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Posted by ( JesJay ) on July 17, 2008 at 11:05 am
i lovee you hannah leigh boyd. justice has been served. you can not rest your head in peace.
i love you
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Posted by ( CCSMITH ) on July 17, 2008 at 10:12 am
This is reallysad. But, I read commnets everyday, and it’s so sad that if these young teens were Hispanic or had hispanic names,. The question of illegal or legal would come up.
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Posted by ( nitrovic ) on July 16, 2008 at 3:55 pm
.16 is REAL drunk. I find it hard to believe that somebody wasn’t at least a little more sober than this girl. It’s a shame for all involved.
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Posted by ( POOKEYSGRL07 ) on July 16, 2008 at 1:52 pm
GOD HELP THE DRIVER AND THE FAMILIES OF ALL INVOLVED.PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW DRUNK DRIVING IS JUST LIKE HANDING A LOADED GUN TO A TWO YEAR OLD.
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Posted by ( MISSGEE ) on July 16, 2008 at 12:05 pm
This is very sad. A night of fun turned very tragic for all of them. More of our teens are dying ever day due to drinking and driving making bad decissions.My heart goes out to all of them and their families
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