Carmel Valley teen sentenced in deadly DUI crash

It was an emotional day in court Tuesday morning as the Carmel teenager, Margot McNally, who pleaded guilty in the deadly DUI crash last month was sentenced to four years in prison.

McNally, 18, was driving with her friend Anabelle Vandenbroucke when she crashed head-on into another car on Carmel Valley Road. Vandenbroucke died from her injuries six days after the crash.

McNally was found guilty of vehicular manslaughter under the influence and no contest to driving under the influence causing injuries.

The woman who was driving the car that McNally struck in the crash, attended the sentencing hearing and gave a victims remark. Sarah Coleman read a letter she wrote, in it agreeing the teen had no intention to hurt anyone, but admitting the aftermath, “has been hell on her”

“When you’re behind the wheel of the car after drinking, after taking prescription medication or after taking drugs and you kill someone, you do go to prison,” prosecutor Meredeth Sillman said. “That’s what your punishment is, and hopefully somebody will see that and one day in the future say, ‘hey lets call that Uber or let’s call that Lyft.”

In the tear filled room, Vandenbroucke’s father shared some words to the court. In his speech, he spoke directly to McNally and said, “I want you to have a big beautiful life.”

Coleman has had six surgeries since the crash and is still in a wheelchair. According to Coleman, she will never be able to walk the same again.

As judge Carrie Panetta gave her closing remarks, she held back tears.

“This really is a sad case, and although I’m expressing sadness I don’t believe it has clouded my judgement in this case,” Panetta said.

The Vandenbroucke family will not pursue any restitution in this case. The amount for the other crash victim, Coleman, has not been set.

McNally left the courtroom with bailiffs to be begin her sentence.