A Mossy Head woman was sentenced Thursday to more than 15 years in state prison for a DUI crash that took the life of her 6-year-old daughter and seriously injured another driver.
- Judge Lacey Powell Clark sentenced Sherry Lynn Clark to 182.025 months in state prison on a DUI manslaughter charge, with a mandatory minimum of four years. Clark will also serve five years of drug offender probation following her release.
The sentencing stems from a July 7, 2022 head-on collision on State Road 285 that occurred around 7:52 a.m. Clark was driving a red 2006 Pontiac sedan when she crashed into a 2020 white Ford Transit van, taking the life of her daughter who was a passenger in her vehicle.
Florida Highway Patrol arrested Clark on Nov. 12, 2022, following a traffic homicide investigation. She was charged with DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide and failure to drive in a single lane.
Clark pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter and DUI with serious bodily injury. The state dismissed one charge as part of a plea agreement.
- “A child died as a result of Ms. Clark’s voluntary choice,” Judge Clark said. “There’s a man who has suffered catastrophic permanent injuries and will never be made whole.”
The court ordered Clark to pay $217,500 in restitution to one victim, who sustained severe injuries and has been unable to work since the crash, according to Judge Clark. Sherry Clark must also pay $12,000 in funeral expenses to another victim.
Judge Clark reserved jurisdiction for 180 days to potentially impose additional restitution amounts.
As part of her probation terms, Clark must complete DUI school, attend victim impact panels annually for five years, perform 50 hours of community service and maintain full employment after release. She is also required to write letters of apology to both victims.
Clark’s driver’s license will be permanently revoked. She received credit for time served and will serve an additional 11 months and 29 days concurrently on a separate probation violation case.
The court waived monthly supervision costs during probation provided Clark makes equivalent payments toward victim restitution.
