JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The woman accused of causing a Hinds County crash that killed a mother and her six-month-old son has been found guilty.
The jury found Beth Ann White, 52, guilty on four counts of aggravated DUI and guilty of fourth DUI offense, which is a felony in Mississippi.
Closing arguments were made in White’s retrial on Thursday, May 2.
White was convicted of causing the crash that killed Allison Conaway and her six-month-old son, Alex. Conaway’s two other children, Chelsea and Chloe, sustained life-threatening brain and spinal injuries due to the crash. The girls survived their injuries.
The state has argued that White’s blood alcohol content level was three times the legal limit. The defense argued whether White was under the influence at the time of the crash.
White was initially indicted on four counts of aggravated DUI. She pled not guilty to the charges. After her first trial ended with a hung jury in November 2023, the county re-indicted White on four counts of aggravated DUI and one count of DUI fourth.
The state rested its case on Wednesday, May 1. The defense did not call any witnesses during the retrial.
“It’s our hope that the judge will not spare the leniency we took in this case. We saw a lack of remorse. We saw a lack of concern at the time of the accident and all throughout trial,” said Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens.
Pursuant to Mississippi law, White faces up to 25 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) on each count. Her sentencing has been set for May 15 at 1:00 p.m.
White’s attorney, Kevin Camp, said he plans to file an appeal in the case.