David Christian White of Lumberport will serve 3-15 years in prison after entering an Alford plea to DUI with death.

Wetzel County Circuit Court Judge Richard Wilson imposed the sentence during a hearing held Feb. 20. Before being sentenced, White and the court listened to an emotion-filled victim impact statement by a relative of the woman, Eva Adams, 84, of Pine Grove, who was killed in the traffic accident caused by White in August 2022.

The relative, Mandy Haught, said that her “Nan” was a wonderful woman who kept her home open to everyone, was an amazing cook, and enjoyed helping and taking care of people.

“Her apple pie; there will never be anything like it. She made everything special,” she said.

She noted Adams was hardworking and took pride in her looks, often matching her apparel and jewelry. She was looking forward to attending an upcoming wedding and had already picked out the dress she planned to wear.

Mandy said she was thankful that she got to visit her Nan the day before the tragic accident.

“I stopped to see her. … She said, ‘Let’s have coffee together.’ … She said, ‘I love you, Mandy.’ I can hear her yet,” she said. “What gives me a little peace is that she said if she were to die, she was ready. What a wonderful feeling; having no fear of dying.”

Mandy told White that she actually felt sorry for him, adding that when she saw him in the courtroom that he looked “weak.”

“I felt sorry for you and sad and I didn’t know why. You looked weak … It broke my heart,” she said. “Drugs get you two places – in jail or dead. You need to get help and make choices that your family will be proud of.”

Blood tests conducted at the hospital showed White had used marijuana, though he had passed a field sobriety test at the accident scene, said Wetzel County Assistant Prosecutor Justin Craft. White was at the hospital for treatment of a broken nose that occurred during the accident.

Mandy said though her and her family’s hearts were broken by the tragedy, she believed they could finally start moving on.

“My advice to you is that from now on think before you act,” she said.

White was permitted by Wilson to make a statement to the family. He apologized through tears for what he did. He apologized for the pain and suffering his actions caused the family.

“There are no words to express how terrible I feel about this,” White said. “I’m truly sorry from the bottom of my heart.”

White’s attorney Andy Mendelson said that White decided to enter an Alford plea because he did not want the family to have to go through a trial.

Craft said that there were two other people injured in the accident. One person submitted a written victim impact statement and the other could not be reached by the prosecutor’s office.

Wilson said though he believed White to be sorry for his actions, he also had to take his pre-sentence investigation into consideration. The report, he noted, revealed past issues with marijuana and other drugs.

“It’s landed you in trouble before,” he said.

In addition to the prison sentence and probation period after, Wilson ordered that White not be allowed to drive for 10 years, that he pay a $1,000 fine along with court costs and fees.

“As difficult a day it is for everybody and as sad as it is, it’s reassuring seeing decency and respect from both sides to the other,” Wilson said. “I pray for everyone who has suffered through this tragedy.”