By Andy Alcock
WLKY
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A plea deal is being negotiated for a Metro EMS tech accused of murder and other charges after she crashed the ambulance she was driving last year.
WLKY has learned the commonwealth has offered Tammy Brewer a 15-year prison sentence. She and her lawyer submitted a counter offer of five years. The talks are ongoing, but so far, no deal has been reached.
On Wednesday, Brewer appeared in Judge McKay Chauvin’s courtroom.
The two sides told the judge they’re negotiating a deal, but haven’t reached one yet. Chauvin gave the two sides until a Dec. 17 hearing to reach a deal.
If they haven’t worked one out by that time, he said he will schedule a trial for February.
The case stems from an April 2008 ambulance crash in which Brewer was driving and the patient in the back, 54-year-old Vickie Whobrey, died of injuries from the wreck.
As WLKY first reported in August, court records in the case indicate Brewer had methadone in her system at the time of the crash. That drug is used for pain medicine or to help people get over addictions to other drugs, like heroin and morphine. Court records indicate Brewer didn’t have a prescription for the methadone.
Driving under the influence of intoxicants is one of the seven charges against Brewer.
“Right now, we are preparing for trial as we have from the beginning,” said Brewer’s attorney, David Yates. “We have open negotiations with the commonwealth. We’re waiting if there’s an offer that seems in the best interest of my client, then we will consider that. That has not been made yet.”
“First I wanted it over with, but I see they’re not going to let it over with. Now I’m ready for trial. Let everybody see what really happened,” said Maggie Whobrey, the victim’s daughter.
Nine months before Metro EMS hired Brewer, she was charged with reckless driving and possession of six-and-a-half pills of methadone.
Reprinted with permission of WLKY.