MORRILTON, Arkansas (AP) — A woman who drove into a lake after a late-night party, killing her three young sons, pleaded guilty Tuesday to three counts of child endangerment after tearfully telling the court she had been drinking alcohol the night of the accident.
Circuit Judge Jerry Don Ramey sentenced Amber Turley, 27, to three two-year prison terms, to run concurrently. She will also be on probation for four years after her release.
Turley sobbed as she told the Conway County court that she drank alcohol at a party before getting into the car for the drive home in the early morning hours of April 19. Witnesses also told investigators that she smoked marijuana at the party.
Investigators said Turley's blood alcohol content the night of the crash was .05 percent, beneath the state's .08 percent legal limit. She also allegedly tested positive for marijuana and a prescription depressant.
James Turley, the boys' father, said after the hearing that his estranged wife has apologized.
"Yes, several times. She's hurting, too." He said the boys wouldn't want to see their mother in trouble.
