Unlicensed Driver Was Drunk

In September, April Morning Edwards plead no contest to a felony charge of operating while intoxicated causing death. The person who lost their life in the accident was none other than her fiance’s brother, James Seibold, who was the passenger in her 1997 Pontiac Sunfire at the time of the crash.

Edwards appeared before Judge Dennis Leiber at her recent sentencing hearing, where she was sentenced to five to fifteen years in prison. As the Judge pointed out, some of Seibold’s family had spoken out in Edwards’ favor, asking the Judge for leniency. But not all of them. Some of Seibold’s relatives were still hurt and angry at their loss, and wanted her sentence to be as high as possible.

According to the Kent County Sheriff’s deputies at the scene, Edwards lost control of her vehicle and veered off the road. She then hit two trees and rolled the car, killing Seibold and injuring herself. Arresting officers said that Edwards smelled strongly of alcohol. Later tests confirmed that her BAC was more than three times the legal limit for Michigan’s drivers.

Prior to the accident, Edwards had not had a legal driver’s license for 17 years. This was the result of two separate drunk driving convictions in a seven year span. In addition to the DUI charges, Edward’s criminal history also includes possession or sale of a switchblade, domestic violence, and attempted assault with a dangerous weapon.

She was initially charged with single counts of operating while intoxicated causing death, driving while license suspended, and driving “super drunk“. Her plea agreement disposed of the super drunk charge and the charge for driving on a suspended license. The agreement also included a recommendation for a reduced sentence.

At her sentencing, Edwards apologized to her family, told them that she loved them, and thanked them for their support during this difficult time. “It was a terrible tragedy,” she recalled, while addressing the court. But as the Judge pointed out, those who had been most grievously hurt, were the ones who had forgiven her.