Drunk driver sentenced to 5 years in prison for hit-and-run accident, victim reacts

TETON COUNTY, Wyo. (KIFI) — The man who ran over Debbie Crawley on her motorcycle in Wyoming's Togwotee Pass last summer was sentenced Wednesday in Teton County.

Joshua Berry is set to serve between 5 and 7 years in the Wyoming State prison. He has no prior criminal history. On the day of the accident, he was traveling through the pass after a camping trip. His blood alcohol concentration was nearly three times the legal limit when he got behind the wheel.

Crawley suffered several injuries after Berry hit her with his truck. As a result, part of her left leg had to be amputated, and she is now wheelchair-bound.

Judge Melissa Owens handed down the sentence after considering multiple factors, including witness impact statements. Berry also made a statement to the court before his sentencing.

"I am truly and deeply sorry for the horror and pain I brought into our lives," Berry said. "My irresponsibility being the cause of such a tragic accident is and always will be my biggest regret. If I could trade places and give you've back what you lost, I would in a heartbeat."

He also expressed well wishes to Crawley and her family as they work to overcome the challenge he has caused them.

"I'm thankful for your strength to endure and survive," he said. "I don't think I would be able to survive the guilt and the shame of it if you hadn't."

Debbie Crawley Reacts

"I didn't feel anger. I didn't feel vengeful. I didn't feel hateful. I mean, I thought I would feel a lot of those really dark emotions, but I didn't," Crawley said.

In a follow-up interview the day after sentencing, Crawley shared how Berry's sentence did not seem to fit the crime, especially since she will never have a left foot again. She does feel, however, that Judge Owens carefully considered both sides. While Crawley would have liked to see a harsher punishment, she believes Berry gave a sincere apology in court.

"He didn't set out to hurt anybody on purpose," she said. "He just shouldn't have gotten in his car. It was said that when he found out that he had hit somebody and had critically injured me, he was extremely emotional about that."

Looking Forward

Crawley is optimistic with her recovery outlook. She is doing physical therapy to restore her strength and hopes to be walking with a prosthetic leg by this summer. Despite the trauma of her accident, she also hopes to realize her love for motorcycling.

"I plan on riding again," she said. "We'll see. I want to get further along in my rehab before I get on a bike though."

In a word of encouragement, Judge Owens suggested that Berry could use his experience to become an advocate against drunk driving. Crawley supports this idea.

"I think, it would be a good idea for anybody that goes through something like this," Crawley said. "I wouldn't be surprised if he did. And, I hope he does."

Last Friday, Crawley reunited with her caretakers at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls It was an a day filled with tears, smiles, and hugs. You can read more about this heartfelt reunion HERE.