LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – KaLeah Manning was convicted of two counts of driving under the influence resulting in death Thursday. She will spend 3 to 10 years in prison. She was the driver in the DUI crash that killed her two nieces.
She spoke during her sentencing hearing, saying they’ve learned from this tragedy and continue to mourn the two toddlers.
“Your honor, I never imagined being the cause of so much hurt to my family, my nieces and myself” Manning sobbed. “It has taken me a long time to even try to begin forgiving myself. And I will forever be mentally and emotionally in prison. I cannot go back in time to bring back Taylor and Rose or change the events that occurred so I chose to change my fate for the future so that I am not the cause of anymore hurt.”
The mother of the two children, Raenysha Washington was also sentenced Thursday. She was convicted of two counts of child abuse, neglect or endangerment and will spend one year in prison She will also be on probation for five years once she is released. Her two daughters died in the crash. She has since had another child, a now one-year-old boy, since the crash and is currently pregnant.
“Today, I am ready to take full accountability of this and for the remainder of my life I will. Regardless of what happens today I will suffer the ultimate punishment,” Washington said through tears. “15 days after the accident, I got to kiss them one last time in a casket.”
Family also spoke on behalf of, saying Manning is the glue that holds that family together and that Washington was a good mother.
The sisters’ mother, Edwina Manning, was distraught throughout the hearing, leaving the courtroom in tears twice. She advocated for lenient sentences for both of her daughters.
“This single accident has cost us four lives.” Edwina Manning wept. “Please your honor, I need my babies, please.”
Washington’s attorney discussed with the judge that she would not have to report to prison until Monday so she may say goodbye to her one-year-old son. However, after her mother Edwina Manning made vague statements about what happened in the time between the crash and the birth of her son as well as how going to prison Thursday would help her daughter, she was ultimately taken into custody after she was sentenced.
According to the North Las Vegas Police Department, Manning was driving drunk in a modified, silver Honda van after sharing a bottle of tequila with a friend in December 2022. She failed to maintain the lane and sideswiped trees, a light pole, a wall and then slammed head-on into a palm tree.
One child was pronounced dead on the scene, while the other was taken to UMC and later died.
Police said Manning smelled like alcohol and her speech was slurred. Her blood-alcohol level was .19, more than twice the legal limit. She also suffered a ruptured bladder, a spinal injury and hip dislocation. Police said Washington had also been drinking and was in the passenger seat. The crash caused multiple injuries to her including a ruptured spleen.
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