Defendant Sentenced for Killing Woman in 2017 Traffic Accident

By Makie Theodros [former] - April 5, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Traffic | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a woman for killing 43-year-old Talata Wiliams in a 2017 car accident. 

Terica Younger was scheduled to be sentenced in February, but attorneys were made aware of uncertainty within the parameters of the plea agreement and had to postpone. On March 25, parties met in court again, prepared to proceed with the sentencing.

The 41-year-old defendant was initially charged with second-degree murder for the fatal car accident, which took place on Good Hope Road, SE, on Sept. 17, 2017. When she pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and two assault charges in February 2019, Younger said she remembered drinking at a bar but not getting behind the wheel or using fentanyl, D.C. Witness previously reported. Still, she did not dispute that she was responsible for Williams’ death.

During the sentencing hearing, the prosecutor said four members of Williams’ family were in the courtroom and two of them wanted to speak.

“My family wants closure,” William’s brother said, asking Judge Milton Lee to impose the maximum sentence.

William’s younger sister spoke next.

“She was my best friend. She was so loving and kind,” she said of her older sister, describing the toll the sudden death had on herself and her family. “This lady, Ms. Younger, you have left a big hole in people’s hearts. She was in the prime of her life. She shouldn’t get no slap on the wrist.” 

Judge Lee thanked both siblings before asking Younger if she would like to say anything.

Younger initially declined to speak, but her attorney, Madalyn Harvey, addressed the court. Harvey said it was very heartbreaking listening to the family, but what happened was also an accident.

”Younger’s life has been very traumatic,” Harvey said. “She’s overcome demons. Ms. Younger is terrified of serving time.”

Younger was released during her initial hearing in 2018 and was allowed to remain released awaiting sentencing after she pleaded guilty. When she failed to appear in court for a show cause hearing in June 2019, Judge Lee issued a bench warrant for her arrest. She was apprehended in August 2021 and has remained in detention ever since.

After some time silently crying, Younger spoke. “I wasn’t coming for nobody that night,” she said. “I was trying to get home to a sick dog.”

Judge Lee addressed Younger. “There is a lot of work to do in your life. There’s no reasoning whatsoever to be speeding while intoxicated,” he said. He proceeded to sentence her on one count of voluntary manslaughter and two counts of assault with significant bodily injury. 

The 10-month sentences for the assault charges were suspended, but she was sentenced to serve 60 months for the manslaughter charge.

Conditions of Younger’s probation include a mental health screening, an inpatient drug treatment program, vocational housing and transitional housing.