The woman charged with the death of a man who police say tried to stop her from driving under the influence in Paso Robles in late 2018 will spend no more than a year behind bars if probation terms are not violated.
A judge on Monday handed down the sentence of one year in San Luis Obispo County Jail and five years of probation to Sarah Hale.
Earlier this year, Hale pleaded no contestto charges that included felony gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, driving with a blood-alcohol level above .08 percent causing injury and leaving the scene of an accident, according to the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney's Office.
The charges were filed against Hale in February of last year and the plea was not part of an agreement with the DA's office.
On Dec. 28, 2018, Paso Robles police said several of Hale's friends were trying to stop her from driving away from Santa Maria Brewing Co., located at 14th and Park in Paso Robles.
Jose Montesguillen, who was referred to as J.M. in the criminal complaint, was also trying to stop Hale but was thrown from the vehicle and hit the pavement, police said. He died from his injuries.
The DA's Office says as part of the sentence, if Hale violates her probation, she could then spend nine year behind bars.
She faced a maximum sentence of 15 years in state prison.
Jail logs show Hale was booked at the San Luis Obispo County Jail early Monday evening.
