South Jersey Woman Was Drunk, Going 90 MPH When She Killed Teen Driver: Official

PEMBERTOWN TOWNSHIP, NJ — A Burlington County woman will spend eight years in state prison after admitting she was drunk in a crash that killed a teenage driver, officials said.

Wanda Sprague, 55, of Pemberton Township pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated manslaughter and to driving while intoxicated on Wednesday, according to Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw.

The crash happened near Lakehurst Road and Rancocas Lane in Pemberton Township on December 16, 2021, officials said.

Sprague had been drinking at a Browns Mills bar and did not have her headlights on when she ran headfirst into a Nissan Sentra driven by 17-year-old Kayla Bowen, Bradshaw said. Bowen, also of Pemberton Township, died at the scene.

Bradshaw said Sprague had been drinking at the Country Lakes Pub and Grill, and reached speeds above 90 miles an hour before the crash. Her blood alcohol concentration after the crash was .188, Bradshaw said, more than twice the legal limit.

"Sprague told the court she had no recollection of the collision," Bradshaw said. "From a wheelchair, she said she has had several surgeries, with more scheduled, and might need to have a foot amputated."

Sentencing is scheduled for November 16.