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Cantonment Woman Sentenced For DUI Manslaughter Of Atmore Teacher
October 26, 2016
A Cantonment woman has been sentenced to 11 years in state prison after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter for the traffic death of a retired teacher from Atmore.
On December 18, 2015, Debra Marlene Ahearn crossed into oncoming traffic and caused a crash at the intersection of Highway 29 and County Road 95A, killing 61-year old Barbara M. Ryland of Atmore. According to court documents, Ahearn’s blood alcohol level was .291 — over three and a half times the legal limit.
According to the FHP, Ahearn was traveling southbound in a 2006 Town and Country van on Highway 29 near Muscogee Road when she made a turn directly into the path of a northbound Chevrolet Tahoe driven by 56-year old John Edward Ryland of Atmore. The Tahoe was then struck by a northbound Chevrolet Cobalt driven by 21-year old Dontavious Rashwn Anderson of Cantonment.
Barbara M. Ryland, a passenger in the Tahoe, was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola where she was pronounced deceased shortly after the 6:11 pm. crash. The driver of the Tahoe, John Ryland, was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition.
Ahearn was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital where she treated and later released prior to her arrest, while Anderson was taken to West Florida Hospital with minor injuries.
Barbara Ryland was a retired teacher with 30 years of service to the Escambia County (FL) School District. She continued as a substitute teacher following her retirement.
For additional photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Comments
8 Responses to “Cantonment Woman Sentenced For DUI Manslaughter Of Atmore Teacher”
We all need to remember and pray for both families! This was a horrible, tragic accident that unfortunately took a life. When I say accident I am referring to wreck. Debra unfortunately made a choice to get behind the wheel and now she will pay the consequences. Many of us have made the CHOICE to drink and drive thinking we are in control. Fact it takes one drink (beer) to put you at legal limit and mixed drink is double. Tragic as this is,maybe it will stop the next person from losing a life or going to prison and having to live with taking a life. There is also a young boy that will be without his mother for the next 11yrs because of a poor choice so remember him in yours prayers.
So sorry to hear of this tragic loss! Unfortunately, Anne, 50 years won’t change this type of behavior. They don’t care because they are drunk and it “won’t happen to them”. People with these types of problems aren’t known for their good judgement. However, it would keep them off the roads if they were behind bars for a good, long time!
What hurts so much is the drunk driver is hardly ever killed. They’d do all of us a big favor if they were. We need a law on how many years they get for murder! 50 years for killing someone while driving drunk would make them stay off of the road.
Rest in Peace my dear friend. You are missed by all family and friends but never will be forgotten for the person you were. All of us were fortunate to have known you and we all loved you so much. Our friendship will endure in my heart and mind. RIP Barbara.
11 years? Is that all Mrs. Ryland’s life was worth?
30 years of faithfully working…part-time retired…ready to somewhat relax and enjoy more time with family, travel and hobbies….this was so tragic and unnecessary.
Drunk driving involving a fatality should be first degree murder.
More people are killed by drunk drivers than with handguns
I hope it was worth it. Nothing good comes from alcohol.