Woman remorseless during sentencing for fatal Woodward crash

(WJBK) - A Detroit woman accused of operating a vehicle under the influence was sentenced Monday to at least 19 years for the fatal car crash that killed 72-year-old man.

Kellie Stock, who also goes by Nicole Leigh Hetfield, was found guilty in the death of Detroit man Bennie Sims on March 20. It was alleged that while high on cocaine, Stock hit Sims truck while driving recklessly at a fast speed on Woodward near State Fair.

She was accused of then fleeing police, who had witnessed the crash. Also in the car was a 32-year-old woman. Both women suffered serious injuries and were taken to the hospital.

The 51-year-old Detroit woman faced nine charges: second-degree murder, reckless driving causing death, operating while intoxicated causing death, operating while license is suspended revoked or denied causing death, first-degree fleeing police, second-degree fleeing police, reckless driving causing serious impairment of a body function, operating while intoxicated causing serious injury, and operating while license is suspended revoked or denied causing serious injury.

Stock offered a half-hearted apology before learning her fate.

"I would like to apologize for the death of Mr. Sims ... for my decisions, but I also do maintain that it was tragic accident - that I did not know it was police behind me," she said.

The judge was clearly put off by a lack of remorse.

"You have the audacity to stand in front of this court and blame it on the police," he said.

Prosecutors asked for a lengthy sentence, pointing to Stock's long rap sheet.

In the end the judge agreed, sentencing Stock to a minimum of 19 years in prison and a maximum of 50.

It's the harshest sentence the judge could impose, based on the guidelines.