Donna Jo Spare, 62, of Afton was sentenced to 25 years in prison by Judge Randy Hefner during a sentencing hearing 9:30 a.m. today at Union County Courthouse.
Spare has already served 23 days, which will count toward the 25-year sentence. She is eligible for parole and will have her driver’s license revoked for 6 years after her sentence is over.
Spare pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle, a class B felony, during a plea hearing Feb. 24, which led to the sentencing hearing.
Spare’s plea came after an eight-month investigation into the 2016 collision. According to a Union County Sheriff report, at about 9:15 p.m. Jan. 16, 2016, Spare was driving a 2001 Chevrolet on Highway 34 east of Creston. Near the intersection of Highway 34 and Jaguar Avenue, Spare crossed over the center line into the westbound lane of traffic. Spare’s vehicle struck a vehicle operated by Deanne Lee Hoffman.
Hoffman died as a result of injuries sustained in the collision.
Assisting in the investigation were Creston Police Department, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, Creston and Afton fire departments and Greater Regional Medical Center.
Subsequent investigation by Iowa State Highway Patrol officers indicated the blood alcohol concentration of Spare was in excess of .08 at the time of the collision, and Spare was officially charged on a Union County warrant in August 2016.
Spare was ordered to pay $150,000 restitution to the estate Hoffman’s estate. Spare apologized during this morning’s sentencing hearing.
She will be sent to Iowa Correctional Institution for Women in Mitchellville, where she will have to attend a program for drunk drivers.
See Monday’s Creston News Advertiser for more information.