STANTON, Mich. — A judge sentenced Amber Martens to serve 6 to 15 years after she pleaded no contest to driving under the influence causing death in a fatal crash that claimed the lives of two last summer.
Myrtle Fuller and Jeremy Wabeke were walking along Cass Street when they were hit and killed. Detectives say the driver, 34-year-old Martens didn't stop at the scene.
According to prosecutors, Martens' blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit in July 2022.
During sentencing, Andrea Krause, Montcalm County Prosecuting Attorney, shared Martens was in six different bars over a ten-hour period.
"It is no less than several beers. At least ten alcoholic drinks of vodka straight or vodka and water, plus several shots," said Krause.
Krause added that after Martens struck the two victims, she drove the length of a football field, dragging one of their bodies on the hood of her car. After fleeing the scene, her car broke down and she called a friend who was a tow truck driver. The friend, realizing she hadn't struck a deer, called 911 and prevented her from leaving.
The victims' families say it's time Martens is finally held accountable for destroying the lives of many people.
"You don't take what you did to us serious enough. From our point of view, the initial bond amount and allowing her to be out of jail for months leading up to this are reasons we feel receive the maximum sentence for not only taking one life, but two," said Dylan Matulis.
Martens attorney, Jeff Crampton, believes she may have been drugged and was blacked out during the crash, though the judge said the facts don't support those claims.
"This event had a ripple effect that hurt so many families and loved ones. I'm sorry for the pain your experiencing because of my actions," said Martens. "I pray in the shadow of hurt, forgiveness doesn't feel like a decision to reward your enemy, but in the shadow of the cross, forgiveness is merely a gift from one understanding soul to another."
Martens entered a no-contest plea in exchange for the seven other charges to be dropped.
A no-contest plea means that the defendant is neither accepting nor denying guilt, but is instead agreeing to the punishment of the crime.
Mertens is also embroiled in a civil lawsuit filed on behalf of a victim's family. Three area bars are also named in the suit.
The judge said she'll receive four days of jail credit. Her sentence is to be served concurrently.
"It will be known. With pain in our voices and tears in our eyes. We'll actually spread awareness. This is a perfect example of why you don't get behind the wheel and get drunk," said Shirley Fuller, Myrtle's sister.
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