A Maryland woman has been sentenced to serve more than three years in jail in connection with a September accident that killed a woman and injured another in Adams Morgan.
On Sept. 8, 24-year-old Chamica Adams, of Mitchellville, Md., drove across a traffic island and struck two pedestrians waiting on the island to cross, authorities said. She then crashed into Keren Restaurant at Florida Avenue and 18th Street.
Julia Bachleitner, 26, suffered a broken pelvis, a fractured skull and severe head trauma. She died from her injuries on Sept. 14.
Melissa Basque, 26, suffered a broken leg and serious head and facial injuries, authorities said.
Adams's blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit, authorities said. A grand jury charged Adams with involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, driving while intoxicated and driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Bachleitner, of Austria, and Basque, of France, had just arrived in D.C. to start the school term at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies near Dupont Circle.
Adams was sentenced Monday to three years and four months in jail. She was also sentenced to five years of probation, 500 hours of community service, and she was ordered not to drink alcohol.
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Bachleitner's mother and twin sister spoke during the court proceedings, as did her fiance, who had proposed to her only days before the crash, NBC Washington's Pat Collins reported.
Adams also spoke in court. She cried as her prison chains dangled against the desk in the courtroom, Collins reported.
The judge in the case told the victims' families that unless they forgive Adams, they will never get over what happened.
Outside the courtroom after the sentencing, Bachleitner's mother told the media that she lost her daughter and that life will never be the same.
Stay with NBCWashington.com for more information as it becomes available.
