LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville woman who drove drunk and killed a married couple in 2021 pleaded guilty Tuesday.
Alyssha McFadden was originally charged with two counts of murder but instead pleaded guilty to lesser manslaughter charges.Â
Final sentencing is set for June 12.
Alyssha McFadden in court on April 25, 2023.
According to an arrest report, on Nov. 20, 2021, McFadden was driving a red Toyota Camry westbound on Westport Road "at a high rate of speed." At the intersection of Westport Road and Ambridge Drive, McFadden hit a Ford Edge that was making a left-hand turn from Ambridge Drive to Westport Road.
The crash killed a married couple, 76-year-old Margaret Herbig and 82-year-old George Herbig. They left behind three adult children and four grandchildren.
Margaret and George Herbig. Photo provided by family.
An arrest report said police found an open bottle of vodka in McFadden's car.
After the crash, McFadden was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police said she smelled of alcohol when she was questioned and officers were able to execute a search warrant to get the results of her blood-alcohol tests taken at the hospital. According to court documents, her blood-alcohol level was .210.
Police said they later learned that MetroSafe dispatchers received several 911 calls shortly before the accident reporting that a vehicle matching the one McFadden was driving was "traveling at a high rate of speed and in and out of traffic."
In court Tuesday morning, several people came to support the Herbig family. One of the Herbig's daughters, Alicia Miiller, said the loss of her parents has been unbearable.Â
"People talk about the holidays and how hard they are, but quite honestly, it's the every day," said Miiller. "It's the every day of not seeing them and talking to them and being around them."
She said more than 1,000 people came to her parents' funeral.
"They were just really well liked and they were just really great people. Do anything for you. Always there for you. They were both very vibrant even though they were upward in age," said Miiller.Â
Judge Brian Edwards said if this case had gone to trial, McFadden faced the possibility of life in prison. With this plea agreement, the Commonwealth is recommending 16 years behind bars.
Miiller said she and her family are OK with the plea deal, knowing nothing will bring her parents back.
"I think we're very happy we don't have to go to trial. We were really worried about how that was going to affect us and trying to get through all this grief," she said.Â
In court Tuesday, McFadden pleaded guilty to two counts of the amended charge of manslaughter first degree and guilty to one count of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicants first offense with aggravating circumstances.Â
The Herbig's children said they hope others think of this situation, before getting behind the wheel.Â
" ... it's not any different than getting a gun and shooting somebody, getting in your car and drinking and driving. Especially when you're speeding, so, (my parents) didn't have a chance," said Cynthia Herbig.
George Herbig, the couple's son, said his parents were big UK sports fans and enjoyed spending time with family. He said in this situation, he feels like two families lost loves ones.
"For the mom of (McFadden), she's lost a daughter," he said. "Her daughter's going to be in jail for 15, 16 years. So when you make a bad decision, whether it's drinking and driving or speeding, putting somebody else's life in jeopardy, you know, she's lost her daughter, too. We've lost two parents but you know, she's lost her daughter."
The Herbig family plans to speak at McFadden's sentencing this summer.Â
Related Stories:
- Louisville woman charged with 2 counts of murder after fatal Westport Road crash
- Coroner's office identifies 2 victims of fatal crash on Westport Road
Copyright 2023 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
