WAILUKU - Saying it was lucky that no one had been killed, a judge sentenced a Wailuku woman to one year's probation for a drunken-driving collision that injured three others.
"For every scar that you have, for every week that you were in the hospital, multiply that by three because you had three victims," 2nd Circuit Judge Rhonda Loo told Sarah Garrett. "It's very, very lucky for you that these victims are alive today."
Garrett, 35, was given credit for six days she previously spent in jail as part of her sentence Sept. 7.
She had pleaded guilty to three reduced counts of second-degree negligent injury in the Nov. 21, 2009, crash on Puunene Avenue in Kahului.
Garrett was driving a 1995 Jeep south on Puunene Avenue when she swerved into a 2006 Toyota van that was heading in the opposite direction, according to police. Garrett and the three women in the van were injured.
"At least one of the victims is going to be walking with a limp probably her entire life," said Deputy Prosecutor Kerry Glen. "She will live in some degree of pain for the rest of her life. The other victims were a little luckier."
The night of the crash, Garrett had gotten her first tattoo and "made a very poor choice to consume alcohol and get behind the wheel," said defense attorney Matson Kelley.
He said Garrett was hospitalized for three to four weeks and has metal in her feet and shoulders as a result of her injuries.
"This was an aberration," Kelley said, noting that Garrett has no prior convictions and is studying at the University of Hawaii Maui College.
"It's weighed heavily on my heart and mind for a long time," Garrett said. "I'm sorry."
Glen said Garrett had cooperated with the prosecution.
"This was truly poor decision-making on Ms. Garrett's part," Glen said. "It's also one of those situations where people walk away with getting a slap on the wrist in District Court. We have otherwise hardworking, positive influences on society who make one poor judgment and it destroys other people's lives."
She said the victims chose not to appear in court Friday.
"The victims all want to move on at this point," Glen said.
While Garrett asked for a chance to keep the convictions off her record, Loo denied the request.
"It's clear there was speed and alcohol involved," Loo said.
She said reports showed Garrett's blood-alcohol level was 0.186 percent, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent.
"No one made you drink that night. No one forced you into oncoming traffic," the judge told Garrett. "It's only by the grace of God that you're standing here alive and those three women are alive today.
"No matter how much pain you're feeling, you need to remember three other lives were changed dramatically."
Garrett was ordered to pay $238,028 in restitution. Some of the amount may have already been paid through insurance.
After Kelley said Garrett has been prescribed marijuana for pain management, Loo said Garrett would be allowed to use the drug as long as she has a valid medical marijuana card.
