Makayla Wood of Frankfort was sentenced to three years in the Indiana Department of Corrections Wednesday afternoon for her role in the death of 69-year-old Kathy Camp on October 24, 2017, following a two-vehicle crash at Main and Morrison streets near downtown Frankfort.
The 20-year-old Wood was sentenced in Clinton County Superior Court by Judge Justin Hunter for Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated Causing Death, a Level 5 Felony. This was part of a plea agreement in which all remaining charges were dropped. Wood was originally charged with Reckless Homicide, Auto Theft, Battery by Bodily Waste, Reckless Driving, Leaving the Scene of an Accident and Driving While Suspended. At the time of her warrant arrest, narcotics detectives requested additional charges of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia be added.
Clinton County Prosecutor Tony Sommer said the sentencing law needs to be changed.
“I’m not making a specific recommendation to the court in cases like this,” said Sommer. “I’m giving the court the full sentencing parameters available under the law. Part of the reason I’ve been doing that is I regard the sentencing parameters for this particular offense as set by the Indiana Legislature as too weak. Only one to six years with an advisory sentence of three years for taking somebody’s life does not seem sufficient to serve justice to me.”
Sommer added if the case had went to trial, the maximum sentence the judge could have given was one to six years for the most lead charges.
Hunter also added Wood would have to pay restitution for funeral and medical costs which are between $13,000 and $13,500.
Jenny Harris and Nancy Elsea both read statements in court. Both talked about what type of person Camp was and the fact that Wood made poor choices on the day of the crime. Wood also read a prepared statement, expressing her remorse and sorrow for what happened.
Wood admitted she was having anxiety and panic attacks before the accident and she would find ways to self-medicate herself. She has since been diagnosed with bipolar schizophrenia and is taking medication for that.
Also, Wood is currently pregnant and is expected to give birth in the Department of Corrections.
