FEDERAL WAY, Washington — A woman accused in a fatal three-car wreck in Federal Way last week will likely be among the first in the state to face new tougher penalties for vehicular homicide.
Investigators said they believe Michelle Dittamore, 31, was drunk, on drugs or both when she crossed the centerline on Pacific Highway last Wednesday and killed 48-year-old Janna Lynne Berry.
Dittamore was charged Wednesday, just a week after the new sentencing guidelines became law. The new guidelines essentially make deaths caused by DUI wrecks equivalent to manslaughter.
“It is never a good day to be an impaired driver, but last Wednesday, two new laws went into effect that make this tragic and preventable crime a much more serious offense in our state,” King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg said in a statement. “Vehicular homicide is now on par with first-degree manslaughter, and driving impaired with a child in your car will earn an additional year sentence for the impaired driver who kills.”
Dittamore’s 4-year-old son was in the car with her and suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash, police said. A third driver, 55-year-old Petr Popovich, also suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Dittamore could face nearly 10 years in prison if she’s convicted.
KIRO
