What to Know
- Karen Baxter, 59, of Bristol Borough, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to homicide by vehicle while DUI. She was sentenced to five to ten years.
- Baxter crashed into another car back on July 23, 2018. The driver, Francis Fischer, died from his injuries.
- Police said Baxter had blood-alcohol content of .23 percent and was driving twice the speed limit.
A Bucks County woman will serve up to a decade in state prison for driving drunk and twice the speed limit in a crash that killed a man last year.
Karen Baxter, 59, of Bristol Borough, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to homicide by vehicle while DUI. She was sentenced to five to ten years in prison.
On July 23, 2018, Baxter was drinking heavily at a bar in Bucks County. Staff members refused to give her more alcohol when they noticed how intoxicated she was, according to the criminal complaint.
The employees tried to stop Baxter from driving away from the bar but she got into her Toyota Camry anyway and nearly struck one of the workers as she drove out of the parking lot.
As the workers called 911, Baxter began speeding southbound along Durham Road in Middletown Township. Investigators said she was driving 70 mph while the posted speed limit was 35 mph. She then crossed the double yellow line and went into the northbound lane, striking a Kia Rio.
Both Baxter and the man inside the Rio, 64-year-old Francis Fischer of Penndel, were hospitalized. Fischer died from his injuries weeks later. Baxter was found to have blood-alcohol content of .23 percent.
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“Karen Baxter’s reckless conduct serves as another reminder of the dangers of drinking and driving. We believe her actions required the maximum sentence of 5-10 years on Homicide by Vehicle While DUI,” Bucks County's Assistant District Attorney Jovin Jose said. “However, no amount of incarceration will give solace to the Fischer family as they mourn the loss of Mr. Fischer.”
In addition to jail time, Baxter must also make restitution of $8,706.78 and pay a $1,500 fine.
