Thursday, Feb. 04, 2010

Myrtle Beach woman pleads guilty in crash that killed biker during Harley rally

When Donna Sheedy pleaded guilty Thursday to felony driving under the influence in the death of motorcyclist Kenneth Temple, she told his family she understands their tragedy because a drunk driver killed her brother while he was riding a motorcycle.

“I have some understanding of how the family feels. I feel so sorry that it happened,” the 61-year-old Myrtle Beach woman said during the hearing. “It’s terrible. I made a very bad decision. I can’t bring him back and I have to live with that. I just so sorry.”

But Temple’s family said they were sad that it took the death of the 47-year-old to make Sheedy change. Sheedy's friends said during the hearing she helps elderly and volunteers at her church.

“She would have never gone to lengths to help others if it hadn’t occurred,” Temple’s mother Regina Temple said after the hearing. “We’re happy with the outcome. It’s well deserved.”

Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Culbertson sentenced Sheedy to 18 years in prison and ordered her to pay a $25,100 fine in the case. She must report to jail by 9 a.m. March 4 to begin serving her sentence. Sheedy faced between a year to 25 years in prison.

Temple was killed May 15 while riding with family and friends on S.C. 544 near the Boardwalk shopping complex during the Harley-Davidson Cruisin’ the Coast spring rally.

Police said Sheedy was eastbound in a Mitsubishi when she crossed the center line, struck Temple, his nephew who was riding another motorcycle and then a pickup truck, all that were in the westbound lanes.

Temple was pronounced dead at the scene while Sheedy was taken to Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, Assistant Solicitor Scott Graustein said.

At the hospital a blood sample was taken from Sheedy and it showed her blood alcohol content was 0.27, he said. Sheedy also has a prior DUI conviction from 2007.

At the time of the crash another fatal motorcycle crash occurred 30 minutes prior a few miles away on S.C. 544 at West Cox Ferry Road. The crashes were the only fatal wrecks during the year’s spring rally.

Read more about the hearing in Friday's edition of The Sun News.