Drunk driver sentenced to 4.5 years

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - A 24-year-old woman who seriously injured two people in a drunk driving head-on collision in March 2009 was sentenced Wednesday to serve four years and six months in prison.

Lisa Marie Schettler, of Virginia Beach, registered 0.44 blood alcohol content on the night, and maintains she has no memory of what transpired before the accident, or the accident itself. She pleaded guilty to one count of driving reckless under the influence where the victim was permanently impaired and one count of a DUI second conviction within five years.

"This is a tragic case," said Judge Edward W. Hanson, who delivered the sentence. "Such reckless disregard for others demands serious punishment."

The accident occurred on Birdneck Road in Virginia Beach on March 9, 2009. Schettler crossed the double yellow lines and struck a Ford Flex, occupied by Donald and Elaine Gay. All three involved suffered injuries.

The judge sentenced Schettler to five years on the driving reckless charge and an additional year for the DUI second offense. One year and six months were suspended conditional on indeterminate supervised probation and 10 years good behavior. Her license has also been revoked.

Schettler's first DUI conviction was from January 2009.