Catherine L. Crumley, age 55, of West Columbia, was sentenced Friday following a guilty plea to felony DUI resulting in death. According to the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office, there were no plea negotiations in the case. The Circuit Court judge imposed a lengthy prison sentence of 21 years in prison. Felony DUI resulting in death is classified as a violent crime and a “no parole” offense.

The victim, Larry Edger Williams, age 65, was killed when Crumley’s Suzuki SUV crossed the center line on Old Barnwell Road and struck his Harley Davidson motorcycle head on. Williams sustained severe injuries and died at the scene. The collision occurred at approximately 10:50 a.m., April 16, 2017. In addition to striking Williams on his motorcycle, Crumley also struck a GMC SUV after she crossed the center line.

S.C. Highway Patrol troopers at the scene noted that Crumley showed signs of intoxication, including drooping eyelids, slurred speech, and constricted pupils. She was unable to correctly recite the alphabet, according to officials. Crumley admitted to taking several types of medications and was transported to Lexington Medical Center. It was determined through a blood sample, that she had the opioid Hydrocodone in her system, as well as the benzodiazepine Klonopin.

Eleventh Circuit Assistant Solicitor Todd Wagoner prosecuted the case. Following sentencing, Wagoner stated, “This case is a tragic reminder of the dangers of prescription drug misuse. Crumley made a poor decision and it cost Larry Williams his life.”

Crumley originally pled guilty August 22, 2018 and had been detained at the Lexington County Detention Center. During Friday’s sentencing hearing, numerous family members and friends of the victim, Larry Williams, filled the courtroom.

Williams and his wife, Debbie, were married 46 years and had just celebrated their wedding anniversary one day prior to the fatal collision.

Following the sentencing hearing, Debbie Williams expressed the need to hold offenders “accountable for crimes and the damage forever done to people’s lives.” Ms. Williams commented, “I would like to thank Todd Wagoner and the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office. We, the justice system, have won a great battle here today. There are no words to express the amount of gratitude that we have for this day. We have all prayed for justice to be done.”

Crumley will be transferred to the S.C. Department of Corrections to begin immediate service of the sentence.