Apology not accepted: Garden City woman sentenced for running over neighbor

A Garden City woman will spend the next three-six years in prison for running over her neighbor while driving drunk.

News 12 Staff

May 1, 2019, 4:20 PM

Updated 2,042 days ago

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A Garden City woman will spend the next three to six years in prison for running over her neighbor while driving drunk.
Tara Guinnane pleaded guilty to aggravated DWI and vehicular assault charges that severely injured her neighbor, Brian Gormley.
On Feb. 12, 2018, she ran over Gormley, who lived across the street from her, with her SUV.
Police say she admitted to drinking a shot of Fireball but a test showed she had a blood alcohol level of .18 – more than twice the legal limit. Empty bottles of whiskey were found in her SUV by police.
Gormley says he spent months in the hospital recovering after the crash and his family says he's not the same man. Gormley's wife and kids pleaded with the judge for the maximum sentence, saying they knew Guinnane had a drinking problem before the incident, but refused help.
Guinnane apologized in court before her sentencing, saying "I can never take back the actions of Feb. 12, 2018. I'm extremely sorry and regretful. I'm ashamed of my actions."
Gormley's family says Guinnane moved out of her home a little while ago, but during his recovery he says it was almost unbearable knowing that the person who ran him down was a free woman living across the street.
Guinnane said she prays every day for Brian's recovery, and says she will work to help others with alcoholism when she gets out of prison.