When people are involved in drunk driving accidents they may face serious consequences, but those consequences may be even more harsh if the accident results in someone being injured or killed. One South Carolina woman recently learned that she will be spending a year behind bars for a drunk driving accident that left a passenger in her vehicle dead.

The accident occurred last July around 2 a.m. Police had been alerted that someone was driving erratically. Moments later, the 20-year-old woman hit the median and crossed four lanes of traffic before landing in a ditch. She was later charged with felony DUI.

The 28-year-old passenger in the woman's car was thrown from the vehicle during the accident and then hit by oncoming traffic. They died from injuries sustained in the accident.

In addition to one year of prison, the woman will also be on probation for five years.

As evidenced by this recent case, a felony DUI conviction can impact nearly every aspect of an individual's life. It is for that reason that anyone facing DUI charges would do well to consult with an experienced DUI attorney. An attorney can investigate a case to be sure law enforcement acted appropriately while mounting an aggressive defense against the charges.

Although media reports typically imply guilt, it is important to remember that anyone charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Even in the most tragic situations, a person is entitled to a strong defense and a fair trial.

Source: ABC News 4, "Sentenced handed down in fatal DUI case," Feb. 15, 2012