A 24-year-old man was sentenced to 18 years in prison Friday for killing a 20-year-old woman while driving drunk in 2013.
While driving north on Boniface Parkway near DeBarr Road in June 2013, Lane Douglas Wyatt ran a red light and slammed into a car driven by Citari Townes-Sweatt. Townes-Sweatt, the driver, was killed in the collision. Passengers in both vehicles suffered injuries.
Wyatt was sentenced to 18 years with five years suspended after pleading guilty to second-degree murder, first-degree assault and driving under the influence. He will be eligible for parole in 11-12 years.
Wyatt admitted to drinking five beers and three shots at Chilkoot Charlie’s prior to getting behind the wheel. According to officers at the scene, a blood test showed the then-U.S. Air Force airman was two and a half times over the legal limit, according to a statement from the Alaska Department of Law. Townes-Sweatt had been acting as the designated driver for her passengers and had no alcohol or drugs in her system.
At his Friday sentencing, Wyatt apologized to Townes-Sweatt’s family.
“I’ve caused everyone in this courtroom a lot of pain. I particularly want to apologize directly to Citari’s family for taking her away from you,” he said. “I don’t know how I’m ever going to be able to forgive myself for that.”
Townes-Sweatt’s mother, Lanita Sweatt-Sanders, listened to the sentencing over the phone and spoke directly to Wyatt.
“Lane Douglas Wyatt, I want you to know that I sincerely forgive you. I really, really do. What’s more important is that I need you to forgive yourself,” she said.
–Bonney Bowman contributed reporting.
–This is a developing story.