Woman takes plea deal in Baker County DUI crash that killed friend

A plea deal will allow a woman who killed her friend in a drunken driving crash to be given a lighter sentence.

Investigators say Shayna Monds picked up Tonya Michelle Clements from the hospital after a night out. They later crashed on Interstate 10 and Clements died.

Five close friends and family members spoke on Monds' behalf, asking the judge to be lenient. They said Monds knows she’s responsible, feels guilty and has young kids to take care of.

Meanwhile, the daughter of Clements, the woman who died in the crash, also spoke, saying she misses her mom and knows she'll never get her back, but she also wants Monds to be able to go home to her kids.

Monds eventually had her turn to speak and told the courtroom she was sorry for what happened.

“Sorry for everybody who had to deal with this case, the whole family, Michelle’s family. I can’t imagine what they’re dealing with. I know what I’m dealing with and I know it’s really hard,” said Monds.

The judge could have given Monds a harsher sentence but said evidence justified a lesser sentence.

Besides the five-year sentence and 10 years' probation, Monds will not be able to ever have a drivers license again and also agreed to 300 hours of community service. They’ll have a restitution hearing Feb. 28.

Cox Media Group