A Neeses woman has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for driving while drunk in the 2006 car crash that killed her 17-month-old daughter.

Tonia McIver Faile, 39, of 121 Orchard Dr., pleaded guilty to felony driving under the influence and child endangerment.

Circuit Court Judge William Keesley presided over Monday's hearing in Orangeburg, sentencing Faile on the two charges to 13 years and 12 years, respectively. The sentences are to be served concurrently.

Keesley also ordered Faile to pay fines and court costs in the amount of $21,800, with $100 to be paid each month.

Katie Catherine McIver, Faile's 17-month-old daughter and only child, was declared dead on arrival at the Regional Medical Center after a car crash on Slab Landing Road on July 14, 2006.

According to the S.C. Highway Patrol, the toddler was not secured in a child safety device in the front seat of a 1994 Dodge Dakota pickup truck when the collision occurred at 4 a.m. about two miles west of North town limits.

Faile lost control of her vehicle in a curve and ran off the right side of the road, investigators said. She overcorrected before traveling off the left side of the road and striking a tree.

Faile was later airlifted to Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital in Columbia.

"Faile had a very strong odor of alcohol coming from her person and from her breath," according to a warrant. "Blood was drawn with preliminary results indicating driving under the influence of alcohol."

From the point where Faile ran off the road, tire skid marks extended for about 20 yards before ending at a copse of trees.

T&D Staff Writer Richard Walker can be reached by e-mail at rwalker@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5516. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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