Woman gets 30 years in prison for fatal drunken driving crash

KINGMAN, Ariz. -- A 38-year-old woman was sentenced to 30 years in prison for driving drunk and causing an accident that killed a 9-year-old boy and severely injured two adults in Lake Havasu City.

Tina Means received the maximum punishment possible under terms of the plea agreement from Mohave County Superior Court judge Rick Williams on Thursday.

Means pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the March 2009 death of 9-year-old Danny Halliday. She also was convicted of two counts of aggravated assault for injuries that Halliday's father and his co-worker suffered in the traffic accident.

Anguish and tears filled the packed courtroom as victims' and their family members spoke of their suffering while asking for a lengthy prison term. Reading from a prepared statement Means expressed her remorse and said she would trade places with any of the victims if it were possible.

Means' lawyers did not contest that her blood alcohol content was more than three times the legal limit when she caused the two vehicle collision.