Mpls. Woman Sentenced for Deadly DWI Crash

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A Minneapolis woman whose blood alcohol content was four times the legal limit when she caused a deadly crash was sentenced to five years in jail and three years of supervised release.

In September, Melissa Heus, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of criminal vehicular homicide and one count of criminal vehicular operation for the crash that killed James Wolter.

According to the criminal complaint, on December 13, Heus sped through the intersection of Highway 252 and 66th Avenue in Brooklyn Center. She slammed her vehicle into several cars--including Wolter's--at more than 80 miles per hour.

Wolter, 37, was trapped in his car as it burned.

Police said Heus' blood alcohol content was .36. The legal limit for operating a motor vehicle is .08.

The sentencing, which is an upward departure from state guidelines, followed an emotion morning in court.

Wolter's family and friends spoke of how horribly their lives changed with his death.

His widow Patricia Wolter showed the court her husbands burned belongings, including money and sunglasses.

She said, "I've got this and a box of ashes to remember my husband by. This is it."

Wolter's mother Diane Wolter said she's satisfied with the sentence but wonders if jail time will reform Heus.

Diane Wolter said, "I don't think she'll remain sober. I pray I am wrong but I believe she murdered him by being that highly drunk."

Heus has two prior drink driving convictions.