While under the influence of marijuana, an Atlanta woman buckled her own seat belt, but she didn’t make sure any of the children in her SUV were buckled in, according to Douglas County prosecutors.
Then, while driving at high rate of speed, Lauresia Woods tried to cross several lanes of I-20 westbound after nearly missing her exit on Sept. 20, 2013, according to police. Woods crashed and flipped the SUV, ejecting three children. Her 7-year-old godson, Jamal Lewis, was killed.
After the crash, Erica Lewis told Channel 2 Action News three of her six children, 14-year-old Sandterria, Jamal and 5-year-old Jasmine, were headed to a party with their godmother and her two children when the crash happened. Sandterria and Jasmine were seriously injured in the crash.
On Wednesday, 41-year-old Woods pleaded guilty to one county of vehicular homicide and two counts of serious injury by motor vehicle, according to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office. She received a 30-year sentence, 15 of which will be served in prison.
“A tragedy for so many families involved, but it also shows that when you drive impaired and kill or injure others, this office will work tirelessly to achieve justice for victims and seek safety for our community,” DA Brian Fortner said in an emailed statement.
Woods had three prior felony convictions making her ineligible for parole, the DA’s office said.
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