Warminster Mom's DUI Killed Son, Gets Prison

WARMINSTER, PA —A Warminster woman will serve up to 15 years in state prison after a head-on, DUI crash that killed her 8-year-old son and badly injured a couple.

Kelly Anne Colbridge, 38, was sentenced Thursday to 4 1/2-15 years behind bars for the crash on the 300 block of Street Road in Upper Southampton.

She pleaded guilty earlier this year to homicide by vehicle while DUI, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI and other charges. Colbridge admitted she was under the influence of drugs and alcohol when her Dodge sedan veered into oncoming traffic and struck a Kia SUV.

Prosecutors say that, when emergency responders arrived, Colbridge made no mention of her son, Daniel, in the back seat and pleaded for help only for herself. Daniel was found unresponsive and in critical condition only when police checked the back seat themselves, according to the Bucks County District Attorney's office.

Daniel was flown to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where he died on April 10.

Police investigation showed that, before the crash, Colbridge had been at a child's birthday party at a bowling alley with her son, where she drank several alcoholic beverages. A blood draw showed her with a blood-alcohol level of .168 — more than twice the legal limit.

She also had clonazepam, known by the brand name Klonopin, and metabolites of a muscle relaxer in her system. Police found suboxone strips, loose pills, marijuana and drug paraphernalia in her purse.

"The defendant had all the choices in this case," said Deputy District Attorney Robert D. James. "She could have chosen to not mix alcohol with central nervous system depressants and anxiety meds, but she did. She could have made the choice to have someone else drive her and her son home, but she did not."

In court, James argued that Colbridge has not taken full responsibility for the crash and has shown no remorse for her son's death or the injuries to the couple in the Kia. Rather, he said, she has spoken disparagingly of the couple in recorded phone calls from prison.

Prosecutors say the couple has racked up about $200,000 in medical bills for their treatment, which has included emergency surgeries. Their injuries were so severe, prosecutors say, that the couple could not attend their daughter's bridal shower.

In addition to prison time, Judge Gary B. Gilman ordered Colbridge to perform community service with Mothers Against Drunk Driving or a similar group once paroled and make more than $37,000 in restitution.