UNION, Mo. — The Franklin County woman pardoned for her participation in the U.S. Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021 was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison for her role in a fatal drunk driving crash.
On Jan. 5, 2022, Emily Hernandez was driving the wrong way in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 44 for several miles when she crashed into a Buick SUV carrying Victoria “Vickie” N. Wilson, 32, and Ryan E. Wilson, 36. Vickie was killed. Ryan, who was seriously injured and walks with a cane today, said he lives in constant pain.
Ryan Wilson described in court the moments after the crash and how he reached for Vickie in the passenger seat.
“No matter how loud I cried out to her, I couldn’t wake her,” he said. “I couldn’t reach her because of the air bags.”
Hernandez sat stoically, staring ahead with her hands clasped in her lap, as Wilson addressed the court. He was among several of Vickie Wilson’s relatives to address the court.
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Her mother, Tonie Donaldson, said Vickie’s death “is the first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing I think about each night.”
“When I lost Vickie, I lost a part of me,” Donaldson said.
Franklin County Judge Ryan Helfrich sentenced Hernandez to 10 years for Vickie’s death and 7 years for injuries caused in the crash. The sentences are to be served concurrently.
A preliminary breath test showed Hernandez had a blood-alcohol content of .20% after the crash, authorities said. The legal limit to drive a vehicle in Missouri is .08%.
Helfrich levied close to the maximum sentence allowed in the two felonies. “Probation is not appropriate given the nature of what happened,” he said.
Hernandez’s attorney had asked for a sentence of 120 days “shock time” in Franklin County’s jail, with credit for the time she spent wearing an electronic monitor, followed by probation. Hernandez had previously rejected a plea deal that would have sentenced her to 12 years in prison.
“What I did was ungodly and I will live with that shame for the rest of my life,” Hernandez said at the sentencing. “I am sorry for what I did and if I could take it all back, I would.”
Hernandez was featured in a photo from the 2021 riots at the U.S. Capitol, holding the nameplate of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She had gone to Washington that day with her uncle and his friend to watch President Donald Trump’s speech and afterward marched with the crowd to the Capitol.
The fatal crash occurred 6 days before Hernandez was scheduled to plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of entering and remaining in a restricted building. She was sentenced to 30 days in jail but was pardoned by Trump last week.
Emily Hernandez turns herself into authorities at the FBI offices in St. Louis on Jan. 19, 2021 Hernandez was charges with 5 misdemeanors in U.S. District Court in Washington after images of her surfaced holding pieces of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s sign during the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot. Video by Cheyenne Boone/Post-Dispatch
In a shocking turn of events, the woman who was pardoned for her involvement in the Capitol riot earlier this year has been sentenced in a fatal crash case. This news has left many people stunned and outraged, as it raises questions about the consequences of pardons and the accountability of those involved in such serious crimes.
The woman, whose name has not been disclosed, was pardoned by former President Trump for her role in storming the Capitol on January 6th. However, just months after receiving a pardon, she was involved in a fatal crash that resulted in the death of an innocent bystander.
This tragic incident has sparked a debate about the pardoning process and the responsibility of individuals who have been pardoned for their actions. Many are questioning the decision to pardon someone who was involved in such a violent and destructive event, only to have them go on to commit another serious crime.
The sentencing of this woman serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of one’s actions and the importance of accountability. It also raises questions about the pardoning process and whether it is being used appropriately to provide justice or simply to protect political allies.
As the details of this case continue to unfold, it is clear that there are still many unanswered questions and concerns about the implications of pardons and the impact they can have on society. This serves as a stark reminder that justice must be served, and those who commit crimes must be held accountable, regardless of their connections or political affiliations.
Tags:
- Capitol riot
- Woman pardoned
- Fatal crash
- Sentence
- Capitol riot aftermath
- Legal consequences
- Political activism
- Justice system
- Prison sentence
- Tragic accident
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