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In this January 2023 file photo, the mangled remains of an SUV can be seen in a field following a two-vehicle accident near the intersection of State Route 219 and State Route 49.
CELINA - An Indiana woman who caused a crash that left the other driver with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries was sentenced to nearly five years in prison on Wednesday afternoon.
Mercer County Common Pleas Court Judge Matthew Fox sentenced Amanda Eicher, 31, of Winchester, Indiana, to 59 months in the Ohio Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and 180 days in the Mercer County jail with 23 days credit. He also suspended her driver's license for 10 years.
Eicher was sentenced on one count of aggravated vehicular assault, a third-degree felony; one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony; and operating a vehicle while under the influence, a first-degree misdemeanor.
Eicher pleaded guilty to the charges on Nov. 1. As part of a plea deal, one count of aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, and one count of operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs of abuse, a first-degree misdemeanor, were dropped. On Jan. 17, 2023, Eicher was reportedly driving a 2017 Ford Escape SUV eastbound on State Route 219 while Jeff Mize, 61, of Lebanon, was driving a 2006 Ford flatbed pickup truck northbound on State Route 49.
Eicher reportedly failed to stop at the stop sign and hit Mize's vehicle.
Both were transported to Mercer County Community Hospital for injuries, and both were transported to other hospitals for care.
Mize sustained a traumatic brain injury and a serious spinal cord injury that paralyzed his legs. He now must use a wheelchair.
Blood toxicology tests showed Eicher had four times the legal amount of methamphetamine and marijuana in her system.
Prior to sentencing, Eicher addressed the court, Mize and his family.
Eicher said though she's contemplated her sentencing for a while, she struggled to come up with the right words to address the accident.
"That day impacted both of our lives in different ways," she said. "Both of our families were hurt and their lives were turned upside down. I wish I could take it back. I wish I could do so much, but I can't. I've been trying to come up with words, but I just know I can't do anything but tell you I am sorry."
The court received over two dozen victim impact statements from Mize, his family and loved ones.
"Last year on Jan. 17, 2023, Amanda Eicher ruined my life as we knew it," Mize said. "She ruined (my wife) Jen's life, our hopes, the plans that we had, all because of an admitted drug usage."
Prior to the accident, Mize said they were healthy, happy and enjoyed traveling often.
"We really were starting to plan our next steps to retirement," he said. "I had cut back my work weeks to four days most weeks. I coached football for over 30 years, college, high school and grade school. Three years ago, I stopped coaching, something I loved dearly, because it gave us the opportunity for me and Jennifer to travel in the fall. I saved over a million frequent flyer miles saved specifically for our retirement traveling."
Mize said the day before the accident, he and Jen were planning a fall river cruise in Europe and were awaiting the birth of his first grandchild.
"Jan. 17, 2023, everything changed," he said. "I'm permanently in this chair. I live my life depending on my wife and others. It's not something I wish on anyone. I can't pick up my granddaughter to comfort her. If you've ever tried to hug someone in a wheelchair, you understand how disappointing that contact leaves you feeling."
Following her sentencing, Eicher was taken into custody and transported to the Mercer County jail.
