Drunken driving crash: Woman jailed after judge dissolves sentencing agreement
A Belleville woman is in the Washtenaw County Jail after a judge dissolved a sentencing agreement upon learning details of the serious-injury crash she caused while driving drunk last summer.
Susan Upchurch, 36, was to receive two years probation for one count of operating while intoxicated, causing injury, under a sentence agreement established when she entered her guilty plea in early March, records show. But Washtenaw Circuit Judge Archie Brown on Wednesday ordered Upchurch to serve seven months in jail for causing the July 30 crash in Ypsilanti Township. Officials said Brown noted Upchurch’s blood-alcohol level at the time of the crash was 0.21 percent, and that her children, ages 3 and 15 were in the vehicle. A blood-alcohol level of .08 is the legal limit in Michigan.
Reports show Upchurch was northbound on Dorsett Street shortly after 2 a.m. when she ran the flashing red light at the Michigan Avenue bypass, and her car struck another vehicle, Washtenaw County Sheriff’s spokesman Derrick Jackson said. The other driver, a 39-year-old Dundee man, suffered severe internal injuries and a passenger suffered multiple broken bones, court records showed.
Upchurch was taken to the hospital, but was not seriously injured and was arrested shortly after her release. Her children were not injured. A 53-year-old man was also in the vehicle and suffered minor injuries.
They had just come from a wedding celebration with friends and family, said Robert Katz, her attorney.
Katz said Upchurch took responsibility for her actions and remains in counseling for substance abuse issues.
“She couldn’t have taken this matter any more seriously than she did, but, obviously, that doesn’t change the poor decision she made,” he said.
Comments
psa97531
Sat, Apr 2, 2011 : 10:10 p.m.
I fully support the judges decision. I rode in a car driven by my drunk father as a small child. It is terrifying to ride in a car weaving all over the road. It is profoundly selfish and should not be tolerated. This gives everyone involved a chance to reflect and to live. My thoughts are with the children.
a2girl
Sat, Apr 2, 2011 : 6:11 p.m.
I would like to know who was responsible for the original sentencing agreement. Good for Judge Brown!
RJA
Sat, Apr 2, 2011 : 5:53 p.m.
Good Job, Archie Brown! Hopefully someone will take good care of the children while she serves. And YES, it is about time this type of offense is taken seriously. I went to a wedding celebration recently, and there was no boose allowed. As soon as dinner was over, and gifts un-wrapped the parents of little ones left to take them home. Happy to hear the MOM is taking responsibilty for her actions.
ffej440
Sat, Apr 2, 2011 : 4:45 p.m.
No mention of CPS. They take others children away for doing a LOT less.
shumom23
Sat, Apr 2, 2011 : 4:19 p.m.
Yes to the Judge. She endangered her chidlren and everyone else and probation would be ridiculous . Justice even if it is too easy!
John B.
Sat, Apr 2, 2011 : 3:56 p.m.
It is still a very light sentence, in my opinion. She took her 3-year-old to a party that lasted until 2 a.m., got super-drunk, then drove with said child in the car. Sheesh.
Ricebrnr
Sat, Apr 2, 2011 : 3:33 p.m.
About time these are taken seriously!