YORK COUNTY, S.C. — A woman will spend decades in prison for her role in a crash that took the lives of four people.
Investigators said Rolesha Spears drove the wrong way on Interstate 77 in York County on Oct. 10, 2021. They said she slammed head-on into another car with Jasmine Givens behind the wheel. Givens, along with with her cousins Briasia and Nykiera Moore, died from their injuries. Spears’ 5-year-old daughter, Rylee Pate, also died in the collision.
Rylee’s father said his daughter wasn’t wearing a seatbelt.
[ PREVIOUS: ‘Small victory’: Families of 4 killed in wrong-way crash still coping; suspect denied bond ]
“Her actions have not only hurt me but my family as well. I never thought I’d bury my 5-year-old child,” her father said in February 2022.
Last year, the cousins’ family said they are focusing on the legacy their loved ones left behind because that’s what’s getting them through the ordeal.
“The love that we have, the love that we share has been so great and that’s the most important thing for us. And if we can keep that together I think Jasmine, Briasia and Nykiera would love that.”
Spears pleaded guilty in court Thursday to four counts of felony driving under the influence resulting in death and one count of child endangerment, the South Carolina Solicitor’s Office said. She will spend 35 years in prison.
(WATCH PREVIOUS: 4 people, including 5-year-old, killed in wrong-way crash on I-77 in York County, officials say)
This browser does not support the video element.