Driver faces lengthy sentence

Published 1:42 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008

SNOQUALMIE – Debra Acey, the Snoqualmie woman who was behind the wheel of a sport-utility vehicle that smashed into another car while going the wrong way on Interstate 90 last year, may get up to nine years in prison.

The crash, which occurred on Nov. 18, killed one of the passengers in the other car, Erin Klotz, 20, of Kennewick, and severely injured the driver, Tracey Fischer, 20, of Edmonds.

King County Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Dan Donohoe said the extended sentence was being sought because of the severity of the offense and because Acey had been pulled over for drunk driving in 1990. As a result of Acey’s drunk driving conviction in 1990, Donohoe said Acey was required to go through classes that involved meeting with a panel of drunk-driving victims.

Donohoe said the charges against Acey for vehicular homicide and assault would normally carry a sentence of up to 61/2 years in prison. Acey pleaded guilty to both charges.

Before getting into her car, Acey reportedly took some prescription medication and drank three glasses of wine. Her blood-alcohol level was 0.3, more than three times the legal limit of .08.

Acey will be sentenced on April 19.