ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Lori Phillips was sentenced to 22 years in prison with two years suspended on Friday for the killing of 23-year-old Louis Clement, after a blood test showed Phillips was four times over the legal limit in the fatal 2009 crash.
Phillips was convicted in 2010 of second-degree murder and experts estimated she had between 13 and 18 drinks the day of the Seward Highway crash when her SUV crossed in the wrong lane and collided head-on with Clement's sedan.
Joyua Stovall, Clement’s fiancée, was seriously injured in the wreck and testified about how she had to re-learn how to walk.
Prosecutors said “she never expressed concern for anybody but herself," and that “it's far too late” for Phillips' rehabilitation.
Her history of drunk driving spans 20 years with five arrests and three convictions.
Lori Phillips mother testified and said her daughter is a deeply private person and she truly feels remorse.
Andrew Lambert, defense Attorney, said Phillips was portrayed as a "repugnant member of society” and said "we all have demons, and sometimes demons control us."
Judge Phillip Volland said Phillips' potential for rehabilitation is "poor at this stage" and she denied her alcoholism problem until her sentencing.
Volland sentenced Phillips to serve a total of 22 years with two years suspended for 2nd degree murder, 1st degree assault, DUI & other misdemeanors.
