Errika Shelton received a 13-year prison sentence today for evading police and causing a fatal wreck that claimed the life of her 7-year-old daughter.
Errika D. Shelton, 27, pleaded guilty to failure to stop for a blue light with a death involved, habitual traffic offender with a death, reckless homicide, child neglect, driving under suspension third or subsequent offense and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Queniya Shelton, 7, died as a result of massive head trauma sustained in the Aug. 6, 2012 wreck.
Spartanburg County sheriff’s deputies attempted to stop Shelton’s rented Dodge Journey as the vehicle traveled erratically in the northbound lane of I-85 near the 70-mile marker. Traveling at speeds as fast as 100 mph, Shelton’s car passed other vehicles on three occasions in the emergency lane before exiting on the Highway 221 ramp.
The speeding driver raced through the Highway 221 intersection and returned to the interstate and continued driving erratically. Shelton lost control of the car when she attempted to pass traffic in the emergency lane near the 81-mile marker. The car slid across the northbound lanes of traffic and struck the median guardrail head-on. The car flipped multiple times before coming to rest on top of the cable barrier. Queniya and a vacuum-sealed bag of marijuana were thrown from the vehicle. A quantity of marijuana was also found inside the wreck car.
"Errika Shelton selfishly placed her own needs in front of those of her innocent daughter," Solicitor Barry Barnette said.
Shelton’s prior criminal record included convictions for failure to stop for a blue light and siren, unlawful carrying of a weapon, assault on a police officer while resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, open container and driving under suspension.
Circuit Judge Lawton McIntosh’s prison sentence includes 5 years of probation. She could serve an additional 20 years in prison if she violates the terms of probation.