This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A 26-year-old woman who drove drunk and caused a car crash that killed a woman in Ogden last fall was sent to prison Thursday.
Chelsey Lauran Raffield was originally charged in Ogden's 2nd District Court with automobile homicide, a second-degree felony, along with misdemeanor reckless driving and being an alcohol-restricted driver.
In February, Raffield pleaded guilty to the second-degree felony and the other charges were dismissed as part of a plea deal.
On Thursday, a judge sentenced the woman to serve not less than one year but no more than 15 years in prison for the crime.
On Sept. 1, Ogden police say Raffield was heading south on Adams Avenue about 2:35 a.m. when she crashed into another car at 30th Street.
The driver of that car, Elsa Alonso, 22, of Ogden, died at the scene.
According to witness reports, Raffield blew through a stop sign at the intersection of Adams Avenue and 30th Street going about 80 mph in a 30-mph zone, police said.
In a preliminary test conducted by police, it appeared Raffield was severely intoxicated — her blood-alcohol level was nearly four times the legal limit of 0.08, according to Ogden police.
Raffield was hospitalized after the accident with non-life-threatening injuries, including a broken ankle and other minor wounds, according to police.
Raffield was previously convicted of a DUI in November 2011, according to court records. The woman also has had a number of driving infractions since 2009, according to Utah court records, including speeding, following too closely and making an improper U-turn.
Twitter: @jm_miller