Woman Gets 5 Years in Prison for Fatal DUI Crash in South Kingstown

The driver in a 2013 crash in South Kingstown that killed 26-year-old John Balzano of Providence will spend the next five years behind bars after pleading no contest to charges of driving under the influence, death resulting, and possession of a controlled substance today in Superior Court.

Amanda Lyons, 28, of Coventry, was sentenced by Justice Melanie Wilk Thunberg to a total of 15 years in prison with five to serve. The remainder will be suspended with probation and she was also ordered to undergo substance abuse counseling, pay a $5,000 fine and give up her license for five years upon release from the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston.

Lyons was accused of driving while intoxicated on the night of Nov. 23 when she lost control and crashed into a light pole on Route 1 at the entrance to South County Commons.

Balzano, asleep in the back seat, was ejected from the windshield as a result of the crash and suffered fatal injuries.

Both were transported to the hospital where Balzano was pronounced dead and Lyons was treated for minor injuries.

Police found morphine in Lyons’ possession after she was arrested, according to court records.

“A young man’s life was lost in an instant and a family’s grief will last a lifetime because Amanda Lyons got behind the wheel of her motor vehicle under the influence. This death – and all those cause by drunk driving – are avoidable if people take a moment to consider the irrevocable destruction that inevitably results from driving drunk,” said Attorney General Peter Kilmartin.

The execution of the sentence will be determined at a later date.

South Kingstown police led the investigation. Assistant Attorney General Mark Trovato prosecuted the case.

Balzano was a business partner and head of product development for Ballzanos Hobbies. He was also a beekeeper for Papa Roger’s Honey.