July 24th, 2008 by R.J.

KINGMAN, AZ - A woman convicted of driving under the influence, fatally crashing her car into a motorcyclist, and fleeing the scene of the crime was sentenced to ten and a half years in prison on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Mohave County Superior Court Commissioner Lee Jantzen sentenced Marian Marlene Hoffman, 59, of Kingman to 10 years and six months in prison on manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and extreme driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor charges.

Hoffman was convicted of killing Joseph “Andre” Lortie, 53, of Kingman on November 21st. Lortie was stopped on his motorcycle at the intersection of Andy Devine and Airway avenues waiting for the light to change. Traveling at an estimated 48 mph with a blood-alcohol concentration between .224 and .227, Hoffman struck the back of Lortie with her car sending him tumbling off his motorcycle.

Hoffman continued driving, striking another vehicle before being stopped by civilians on Shangri-La Drive. The Kingman Police Department arrested her a few blocks from the scene.

Lortie, who wasn’t wearing a helmet, suffered severe head injuries. He was airlifted to Sunrise Medical Center in Las Vegas, where he died on Dec. 1 as a result of his injuries.

Hoffman did not speak at the sentencing because she was too distraught, defense attorney Sandra Carr said. Carr spoke on Hoffman’s behalf.

“She is, by far, the most remorseful client I’ve ever had,” Carr said.

I wonder if Hoffman would be so remorseful if she had gotten away with it? Somehow, I doubt it.  Good job on the prosecution and Judge in this case for dealing out an adequate prison term for once. It doesn’t bring Joseph back, but it’s a lot better than other sentences we have seen in the past.