This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A 61-year-old Springville woman has pleaded guilty to charges connected to a 2010 crash in Utah County that killed 71-year-old Brice Mickelsen.
A trial for Diane Mott was scheduled to begin Monday in 4th District Court, but she instead resolved the case with a plea deal.
According to court documents, Mott took a combination of Ambien and Lortab on Sept. 2, 2010, and was impaired to a point to where she couldn't operate a motor vehicle.
While driving her Toyota Corolla on Interstate 15 southbound just south of Provo, she collided with Mickelsen's Pontiac Grand Prix, according to Utah Highway Patrol authorities.
UHP investigators believe Mott was driving erratically in the middle lane before crossing into Mickelsen's right-hand lane and striking his car on the driver's side. Mickelsen's Grand Prix then slammed into a barrier, careened back into traffic and rolled.
Also injured was Mary Jacobsen, of Springville, who was a passenger in Mickelsen's car.
Mott was initially charged with second-degree felony automobile homicide, class A misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and class C misdemeanor failure to stay in lane of travel.
On Monday she pleaded to a less harsh count of third-degree felony automobile homicide and pleaded no contest to the DUI. The other misdemeanor was dismissed as part of the plea deal.
Mott faces up to six years in prison when she is sentenced on June 11.