Strickland pleaded guilty in connection with the deadly disaster in Lebanon

October 30. The woman involved in a crash that killed a 27-year-old woman in April 2022 entered an open plea in court Friday, pleading guilty without reaching an agreement on a proposed sentence.

On April 25, 2022, 73-year-old Sandra Strickland was involved in an accident in Lebanon Square that claimed the life of Ashley Brewer Bailey. Law enforcement at the time administered a field sobriety test and arrested Strickland after the crash. Bailey later died from her injuries after being taken to a local emergency room.

In 2022, Strickland was charged with vehicular homicide in connection with Bailey’s death, driving while intoxicated and two counts of reckless endangerment. Before the crash that claimed Bailey’s life, Strickland was involved in another crash that resulted in a charge of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury. Only charges of homicide by vehicle while intoxicated will be prosecuted.

According to the district attorney’s office, Strickland crashed the car at the intersection of Greenwood and West Main streets. Injuries caused by the accident were minor.

Jury selection for the trial was held Oct. 16-17 and arguments began Oct. 18, but Strickland pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide on Friday. The charge is a Class B felony in Tennessee that carries a sentence of 8 to 12 years.

“After consulting with the family, they were very pleased with the plea in this case,” District Attorney Jason Lawson said. “The goal all along was to hold Strickland accountable for Ashley’s death. The fact that the court will issue a verdict and admit guilt in this death was the goal that the family hoped for.”

While the state’s argument was that Bailey’s death was the result of Strickland being intoxicated and driving while intoxicated, the defense argued that the accident was caused by a medical condition Strickland was experiencing.

Strickland’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Dec. 10.