A former emergency medical technician in Kentucky who was sentenced to 10 years in prison on manslaughter charges was granted probation. But the probation will not begin before she completes another 12 months in jail to continue treatment for drug addiction.
Jefferson County Circuit Judge McKay Chauvin called Tammy Brewer "a good candidate" for probation. Brewer crashed an ambulance she was driving while under the influence of methadone. The crash resulted in the death of patient Vickie Whobrey, the 54-year-old who was in the back of the ambulance at the time of the accident.
"I just want you to know that I understand the seriousness of my crime," Brewer told the judge at Monday’s hearing. Brewer is attending Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous group meetings.
Judge Chauvin told Brewer that "by taking someone’s life, you change people’s lives," but that he believed Brewer had demonstrated to the court that she was getting treatment for her addiction.
Brewer has served more than 160 days in prison. But as part of an agreement in which she pleaded guilty to the April 2008 crash, she would be eligible for shock probation after 120 days. Brewer pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault, wanton endangerment and criminal mischief.
Brewer will be turned over to Jefferson County and serve the next 12 months in Metro Corrections. During that time, she will remain in a treatment program and work to find a job before her release can be approved by the court. If she is released she will have to stay in a court-approved treatment program. She will also meet with a parole officer on a regular basis and undergo random drug testing.
