“Sandra Strickland, 73, enters an open plea to end trial of the death of Ashley Bailey on the Lebanon square in April 2022.
Sentencing was scheduled for December 10 and Strickland received the maximum sentence, 12 years to serve.
The woman charged in connection with the death of a 27-year-old wife and mother on Lebanon’s town square more than two and a half years ago entered an open plea on Friday, ending a trial that began last week. Sandra Strickland, 73, pleaded to the indicted charge of vehicular homicide by intoxication, according to District Attorney General of the 15th Judicial District Jason Lawson. Ashley Bailey was killed in the crash on April 25, 2022.
Vehicular homicide by intoxication is a Class B felony that carries an 8-12-year prison sentence with sentencing scheduled for Dec. 10, Lawson said. The open plea, which essentially admits guilt without a sentencing agreement with prosecutors, provides for the full range of punishment at sentencing, Lawson said. Judge Michael Collins is presiding over the case.
The other charges against Strickland were DUI first offense, two counts of reckless endangerment and failure to stop at the scene of an injury wreck. Leaving the scene of an accident was charged because prosecutors said Strickland was involved in a crash before the one that involved Bailey. Only the vehicular homicide by intoxication charge will be prosecuted. The lesser DUI charge is effectively absorbed into the vehicular homicide by intoxication charge, Lawson said.
“The family was very satisfied, especially in light of the fact she was entering an open plea and will receive a sentence as if she had been convicted by a jury,” Lawson said.
The trial began with jury selection on Oct. 16 and opening arguments were heard on Oct. 18.
Prosecutors argued that Strickland was intoxicated, which caused the crash. Strickland’s defense argued that a medical emergency was the reason for the crash with missteps in how responders handled the incident.
Defense attorney Donnavon Vasek declined comment on the case with sentencing still pending.
Strickland left Chili’s Bar & Grill in Lebanon shortly before the crash occurred, according to prosecutors. A civil lawsuit in connection with the case alleges workers at the Lebanon Chili’s knowingly sold alcoholic drinks and allowed Strickland to leave before the crash occurred.
Bailey was a 2013 graduate of Central Magnet High School in Rutherford County. She played basketball growing up and had a love of horses and the outdoors, family members said. Bailey’s 3-year-old son was in the car at the time of the fatal crash and was treated and released from a local hospital, police said at the time.”