The Death of Elizabeth McClune: 3 years after young mom killed by drunk driver, justice is delivered

Phoenix, Arizona: In January 2021, 28-year-old mother-of-two Elizabeth McClune was driving on the US 60 near Apache Junction along wiht her young daughter when her car was hit by a car weaving in and out of traffic coming in the wrong direction. The impact killed Elizabeth and seriously injured her 7-year-old daughter.

On investigation it was found that the driver of the other car, Peoria man Adam Parker, was driving under the influence, at twice the above legal limit. Paker later pled guilty and now a Pinal County judge has sentenced the 38-year-old to 20 years in prison -- the maximum sentence.

During the sentencing, Elizabeth's mother, Kimberly, delivered an emotional statement, urging the judge to impose the maximum sentence. She recounted the heartbreaking moment she saw her daughter after the crash, saying, "Her body was broken, and all I could do was whisper, 'Please wake up'."

Parker also addressed the court, expressing deep remorse for his actions, stating that the guilt from the crash would haunt him for the rest of his life. He agreed that he deserved the maximum sentence.

“I do feel like a big portion of it was [served], but I just wish that he had gotten a lot more,” Ellie Surette, Elizabeth’s sister, told Arizona's Family.

“Because of the loss of my daughter and the pain for my granddaughter who now has to live without her mom, I don’t know that I accept his apology. I think it was honest because usually when you’re in the position of how do I help myself you say whatever, do whatever you need to say,” Kimberly told the outlet.