Longview woman sentenced to 8 years for drunken driving, killing Vancouver woman when she crashed into her home

A judge sentenced a Longview woman to more than eight years in prison Friday drunk driving in August 2023 and crashed into a west Vancouver home, killing the woman inside.

Karen Baker, 53, pleaded guilty in Clark County Superior Court to vehicular homicide and reckless driving. A judge ordered that her license be revoked and that she undergo drug addiction treatment.

Baker tearfully apologized to the family and friends of 37-year-old Danielle A. Abrahams, many of whom filled the courtroom gallery Friday. Baker said she hopes the fact that she is going to prison will help them heal and find closure.

“I’m sorry I took your lover away from you,” she said.

She also wiped away tears as Abraham’s family and friends read statements about the pain of her loss. Some have said that no sentence will feel like justice, because no amount of prison time for Baker can bring Abrahams back.

“I hope you realize the extent of your irresponsible decisions,” Abrahams’ sister said. “I will never feel that I will become an aunt, my parents will never give birth to grandchildren from their firstborn. You have stolen countless memories from everyone in this room.”

Abrahams’ husband, William Abrahams, said everyone who cared for her lost a lot when she was killed.

“Our home, which was supposed to be a sanctuary, was robbed,” William Abrahams said in a statement read by sister Danielle Abrahams. “Danielle’s death has left me in a state of shock, disbelief and extreme grief.”

Vancouver Police responded at 6:38 p.m. on August 3, 2023, to an accident at West Fourth Plain Boulevard and Fruit Valley Road.

An officer who arrived at the scene reported that a Hyundai Sonata had crashed into a house and a person was trapped under the vehicle. Police observed that the fence around the home was broken in several places and a vehicle had driven through the home’s glass door, according to the probable cause statement.

Medics pronounced Danielle Abrahams dead at the scene, according to court records.

Officers said an emotional Baker was out of the car when they arrived. They later said Baker yelled at paramedics as they tried to help her, according to the affidavit.

Defense attorney Marina Spencer said Friday that Baker yelled at the paramedics because she didn’t feel she deserved medical attention after what she had done.

A witness told police he saw the Hyundai speeding away before hitting a curb and crashing into a house.

Deputy District Attorney Kelly Ryan said Baker’s blood alcohol content was 0.17. In Washington, a blood alcohol level of 0.08 is considered drunk driving.

Spencer said Baker is being treated for alcoholism since the accident and Baker will never drink again.