By By Marianne Todd/The Meridian Star
Dec. 27, 2000
A Meridian woman who served no time in jail after pleading guilty in May to leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death could be required to serve her suspended five-year sentence.
Tabitha Rawlings, 27, of 4933 Skyview Drive was charged by Lauderdale County deputies Sunday with driving under the influence. A conviction on this charge could constitute violation of her earlier probation.
Rawlings' conviction in May stems from an early morning accident June 27, 1999, that took the life of James E. Gresham.
In that crime, Rawlings failed to stop or notify authorities after the 1993 Mitsubishi Diamante she was driving struck and killed James E. Gresham as he walked along North Hills Street near Highway 19 North.
Rawlings and a passenger, Melanie Olson, were arrested after workers at a local glass company reported Rawlings' suspiciously damaged car to law enforcement authorities.
As part of her plea arrangement, Rawlings received a five-year suspended sentence and a five-year probationary period.
According to the terms of the probation, she was prohibited from using alcohol for the duration of the five-year probation, said state probation officer Don Nester.
A Lauderdale County Detention Facility official said Rawlings bonded from jail a few hours after her arrest. She is currently free on $851 bond.
Marianne Todd is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at mtodd@themeridianstar.com.