Whitpain Lawyer Gets Jail Time for DUI Crashes

Montgomery County lawyer and Whitpain resident Kate M. Kelly, who pled guilty in county court in August to two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with two crashes, is now facing jail time.

According to The Times Herald, Kelly was sentenced to six days to 12 months for her role in the two crashes, one in 2009 in East Norriton and another in 2010 in Norristown.

n the 47-year-old Kelly's attempt to get the charges stemming from the 2009 accident at Township Line Road and Whitehall Rd. dismissed. A hospital blood test revealed that Kelly had a blood alcohol content of 0.27%, as well as traces of oxycodone and other prescription medications at the time of the accident.

In November of 2010, Kelly was involved in a second accident in Norristown with a BAC of 0.21%. In that incident, her vehicle reportedly collided with a SEPTA bus in the 1700 block of Markley St. in Norristown. Seven passengers on the bus were injured and Kelly was medevaced to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for treatment of her injuries.

According to the Herald, Kelly testified that she suffered from depression and alcoholism after her husband's suicide in 2008.

"You obviously have suffered a lot Miss Kelly. I recognize that," Judge Gary S. Silow said, according to the Herald. "I think it is so wrong for you to bring your problems onto the road to expose other people. Your tragedy cannot be foisted on other people."

Read more about the case here.

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