LEBANON, TN (WSMV) -
A woman who crashed into a 4-year-old boy and his 69-year-old grandfather in July 2011, killing both of them instantly, was sentenced to 50 years in prison on Tuesday.
During the sentencing hearing, Barbara Ann Mayfield, 45, said she was responsible for the tragedy and apologized to the victims' family.
Alton B. Barrett, 4, and his grandfather, James A. Barrett, both died in the wreck. Mayfield said Tuesday she wished she could bring both of them back and take their place.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt nobody," said Mayfield from the stand. "I want you all to know that I'm so sorry."
"I would gladly take their place if I could because that day a big part of me died too," she added.
During the hearing, the state said it considered her a very dangerous offender who committed offenses while on probation and had no regard for human life.
Mayfield's blood alcohol content was three times more than the legal limit when the fatal crash occurred.
"There can never be any words to describe the pain we will always feel to describe the emptiness and the pain we will always feel to describe the pain brought on by the acts by the selfishness act of one human being," said Shane Barrett, James Barrett's son.
At the time of the crash, Mayfield was driving on a revoked driver's license due to a driving under the influence conviction that occurred on April 19, 2011, in Wilson County.
After the April 19, 2011, DUI conviction, Mayfield was arrested on June 11, 2011, on suspicion of driving under influence, driving on a revoked driver's license, resisting arrest and implied consent.
Mayfield was later arrested on June 21, 2011, for violating her probation. She was out on bond on these charges at the time of the crash.
She was wearing an ankle bracelet at the time of her arrest which prosecutors said was covered in duct tape. She had at least 12 previous public intoxication convictions.
She's eligible for parole but won't have her first hearing until about 15 years.
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Barbara Ann Mayfield
Alton B. Barrett and James A. Barrett
