VALPARAISO | Wanatah resident Stephanie Pochron is to report to Porter County Jail on Monday to complete a six-month sentence stemming from a drunk driving crash this past summer.
But even after she is released, she will have a tough time forgetting about the July 9 crash that left one man seriously injured and caused havoc for an Ohio family.
Porter Superior Court Judge David Chidester ordered that the wrecked vehicle Pochron was driving remain in her front yard until she completes probation in three years.
The vehicle has been in her yard at 10686 S. County Road 1150 West in LaPorte County since her release from jail in July. Chidester said he had it towed there to serve as a daily reminder of the problems she caused.
Pochron, 30, caused the crash along U.S. 30 at County Road 400 East. She struck one vehicle, which collided with another, said Porter County Deputy Prosecutor Andrew Bennett.
It was her third drunk driving conviction and because of the injuries, she pleaded guilty to a felony charge that carried a mandatory minimum jail sentence of six months. She was also ordered to continue taking the anti-alcohol drug Antabuse for a year upon her release from jail, attend at least two Alcohol Anonymous meetings a week, take part in a victim impact panel, continue with substance abuse treatment and pay any restitution.
Pochron told the court Tuesday she has taken most of these steps since July and has remained sober.
"I'm never going to drink again," she said.
The former bartender held a picture of her 4-year-old daughter and told the court she is now a better mother.
Tracey Stanley, whose vehicle was turned on its side in the crash with his family inside, watched the testimony and then took the stand himself saying he hopes Pochron realizes what she did.
"You nearly took my daughter from me," he said.
Stanley, who drove from his home in Lima, Ohio to attend the sentencing hearing, said he did not want to see Pochron serve any further time behind bars, but hoped she was sincere in her claims about staying sober.
