JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The woman who was convicted of causing a Hinds County crash that killed a mother and her six-month-old son has been sentenced.
A jury found the 52-year-old Beth Ann White guilty on four counts of aggravated DUI and guilty of DUI 4th offense, which is a felony in Mississippi.
White was convicted of causing the crash that killed Allison Conaway and her six-month-old son, Alex in November 2021. Conaway’s two other children, Chelsea and Chloe, sustained life-threatening brain and spinal injuries due to the crash. The girls survived their injuries.
Judge Winston Kidd sentenced White to a total of 110 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC). She was sentenced to 25 years for each count of aggravated DUI and 10 years for the DUI 4th offense.
“You’ve not once apologized for your actions. And for that, you should be ashamed,” Kidd said during White’s sentencing.
“Ms. White’s actions resulting in the tragic loss of two lives is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of drunk driving,” said Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens. “While our hearts go out to the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy, our commitment to justice remains resolute, we pursued this case vigorously to hold White accountable for her reckless actions, and while no sentence can fully alleviate the pain of the Conway family, we hope it brings them some measure of closure.”
White has a long history of DUIs, which were documented in March 2014, July 2016 and August 2016.
Her attorney, Kevin Camp, said the next step for him is to file an appeal.
“She’s always maintained that she didn’t cause a wreck. I know that the jury, based upon the information that was provided, comes to a different conclusion. We respect that. But from the get-go, she always… she, you know, she never wanted any of this to happen. She feels bad for it. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s better for the defendant just not to say anything these times, it’s just what we have to do. And we still have an appeal that’s going on. We feel very comfortable with where we’re at with the appeal process,” said Camp.
Conaway’s mother, Alice Hutchins, said for her and her family, it’s been a long process, and the sentenced was well deserved.