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Driver Who Injured 49 Gets 25 Years

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 9, 2008

WASHINGTON - A woman who injured 49 people when she plowed her car through a street festival while high on crack cocaine was sentenced to 25 years in prison Tuesday.
Tonya Bell apologized to the victims, many of whom testified about the profound impact their broken bones, scars and psychological wounds from the incident in June have had on their lives, limiting their ability to work or to pursue their life passions.

"I'm so sorry for the pain I caused," said Bell, who quivered at the defense table and wept often during the half-hour hearing. "It haunts me."

She told the victims she asks God to "bless you back to health."

Bell, 30, of Oxon Hill, Md., pleaded guilty in October to multiple counts of aggravated assault while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon, along with a charge of cruelty to children. District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Herbert Dixon gave Bell the maximum sentence allowed under the plea agreement she reached with prosecutors.

The Associated Press

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