Drunken driver given maximum sentence

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Beverly Chacon didn’t learn from a drunken driving crash in 1994, so now she’ll pay the price.

Chacon was sentenced to nine years in prison Tuesday for a wrong-way DWI crash last March that killed Brenda Melton, a friend who happened to be driving by on Ladera NW.

Chacon had a .19 blood alcohol level at the time of the crash, Judge Candelaria told the courtroom.

The two knew each other because Melton helped raised Chacon’s children.

Candelaria sentenced Chacon to the maximum because he said the 1994 crash that injured someone should have been her wake-up call, but it wasn’t.

Chacon cried throughout her sentencing and read a letter to Melton’s family.

“I know you're very angry and as well you should be,” Chacon said tearfully. “However, I humbly ask you to find it in your heart to accept my sincerest condolences and I accept responsibility for what I did.”

Melton’s family described Brenda as a woman with a huge heart who gave back to the community by raising money for Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Luis Torres, Melton’s brother-in-law, said her organs were donated after the crash.

“Being an organ donor, she ended up saving the lives of two infants with her heart valves, her corneas were given so that somebody can see,” Torres said.

Candelaria said he will recommend to the New Mexico Department of Corrections that Chacon undergo alcohol treatment.

Chacon may also have to pay restitution to the victim’s family once she is out of prison.