DUI suspect indicted on 3 counts

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - A suspected DUI driver was indicted on three counts of DUI - maiming on June 4.

Sandra Hofstadler, 43, of the 3200 block of Club House Circle in Virginia Beach, is charged with driving under the influence and striking a family as they walked to the bus stop in January 2012.

She pleaded "no contest" to DUI 2nd offense and reckless driving (avoiding a school bus), according to Macie Pridgen with the Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney. Judge Gerrit W. Benson found Hofstadler guilty of both charges and sentenced her to the maximum on each, which is 24 months total. The two charges are misdemeanors, and were appealed to the Circuit Court.

Hofstadler is scheduled for trial on all five charges on June 28. If convicted, she will face up to 17 years in prison.

Police say a school bus had its lights on and stop sign out when Hofstadler drove her pickup truck around the bus and onto a front lawn at the corner of Chester Street and Paladin Drive around 7:40 a.m. on Jan. 19, 2012. A father and three young children were walking down the driveway at the time and were all hit by the pickup .