Woman Injured in Wrong-Way Wreck Angry Over Driver’s Sentence
Bettie Coates, who survived a head-on collision on Interstate 540, says she is angry over the prison sentence given to the drunk driver who slammed into her.
Posted — UpdatedBettie Coates, 42, was headed home from work early on Oct. 25 when her Ford Mustang was hit head-on by a drunk driver on eastbound I-540 between Creedmoor and Six Forks roads.
“I'm still recovering. My life will never be the same. I have rods and pins and all kinds of things throughout my entire body,” Coates said.
Coates said that while she has undergone months of pain and suffering, Cruz was sentenced this week to two years in prison. She said that is a small price to pay for what he did to her.
“I'm very angry at the sentence. I really am," Coates said.
Coates said that until the laws change, tragedies like hers will continue to happen.
“It's just often that you turn the television on and you see where someone has died or someone has been hit by a drunk driver,” she said.
Court records show that Cruz was also convicted of a DWI in 2006 – his first of at least five appearances in court that year.
Cruz is an illegal immigrant. After he serves his sentence, he will be turned over to federal authorities, who will begin the deportation process.
• Credits
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.