Ozark woman pleads guilty to manslaughter

By: Ebony Horton | Dothan Eagle
Published: February 08, 2012

» Comments | Post a Comment

OZARK — An Ozark woman is expected to be sentenced later after pleading guilty this week to manslaughter in relation to a fatal crash last year.

Ashley Dean Simmons, 26, entered a “blind” plea to manslaughter, meaning no agreement had been reached with the prosecution.

Authorities initially charged her with driving under the influence and murder in May after an investigation showed the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier she was driving on South Union Avenue crossed into oncoming traffic, striking a 2000 Honda Accord driven by 78-year-old Ernestine Barfield Pipkin of Ozark.

Pipkin died at a Dothan hospital a day after the wreck, according to a previous report.

A sentencing hearing is expected to be set for a later date, where Simmons could face up to 20 years in a state prison after the plea.