Memphis driver sentenced in crash that killed 2 boys

Gavel and scales
Gavel and scales

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - A Memphis woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in the vehicular homicide of two 11-year-old boys.

Media outlets report that 27-year-old Sparkel Hastings pleaded guilty in February to reckless vehicular homicide, reckless aggravated assault and driving on a suspended license in the January 2015 incident that killed Darryl Howard and Joshua McDowell.

An affidavit says Hastings was driving erratically in northcentral Memphis when she struck the children as they were walking on the sidewalk.

McDowell died the same day at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, and Howard died two days later.

Judge Glenn Wright said in court Tuesday that Hastings is a dangerous offender whose behavior showed little or no regard for human life.

During the sentencing, Hastings admitted responsibility for the deaths and said she thinks about the boys every day.

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