Woman Gets 10 Years For Fatal DUI Case

ANDERSON — A Boiling Springs woman was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty today to felony drunken driving that resulted in the death of an Anderson County man.

On March 23, 2007, Theresa Dewoody was driving with a blood-alcohol level of .189, more than twice the legal limit, when she drove her vehicle into oncoming traffic and ran head-on into Matthew Haines on S.C. 86 near Williamston.

Haines, 42, was riding a motorcycle and was thrown through Dewoody’s windshield. He was airlifted to Greenville Memorial Hospital, where he died the next day.

“This is a horrible and senseless tragedy,” said 10th Circuit Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “ I can only hope that this sentence sends the message that drinking and driving truly does destroy lives.”

Anderson County General Sessions Court Judge Cordell Maddox sentenced Dewoody, 43, to 20 years in prison, with part of the term suspended. She was ordered to serve 10 years plus five years of probation.

Adams said whether Dewoody serves the entire 10 year sentence will be determined by the South Carolina Department of Corrections.