Emmalena Ann Michel, Involuntary Manslaughter, Washington 2021

In a tragic incident that shook the Colville Community, Emmalena Ann Michel, a 35-year-old woman from Inchelium, Washington, has been sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for Involuntary Manslaughter and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The charges stem from a drinking and driving incident that occurred on October 23, 2021, on the Colville Reservation.

According to court documents and proceedings, Michel struck two minors with her Tundra truck, a 13-year-old female and a 15-year-old male, who were walking on the road. The male victim was pronounced deceased at the scene, while the female victim suffered severe injuries and was transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center for treatment.

A 10-year-old witness testified that Michel smelled of alcohol and said, ‘I’m sorry,’ before fleeing the scene on foot. Another witness stated that Michel was driving erratically and seemed to be drunk, which prompted the witness to fall back from the Tundra. The Washington State Patrol reported that Michel was traveling at a speed of over 46 miles per hour in a 25-mile-per-hour zone.

Michel turned herself in to law enforcement later that evening and provided a breath sample that showed her blood alcohol content to be above the legal limit. The female victim noted her continued pain at sentencing, describing the metal rod in her right femur bone and the metal plate in her right forearm. The deceased child’s mother expressed her grief, stating that losing her son was ‘beyond anything I have ever endured.’

At sentencing, Senior U.S. District Court Judge Rosanna Malouf Peterson emphasized the seriousness of the offense and its impact on the Colville Community. ‘This is a very tragic situation. The offense is significant, and the impact is significant,’ she said. The judge also urged Michel to change herself, saying, ‘If you cannot control the alcohol, you should never drive again.’

Michel apologized to the victims, stating, ‘I want everyone to know how bad I feel for taking a life. My deepest sympathy goes out to everyone involved.’ U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref stated that no sentence can heal the pain the family will continue to feel, but it is essential that the community sees such reckless actions come with serious consequences. The FBI’s Seattle field office also weighed in, saying that the actions of Michel were particularly deplorable and tragically ended the life of one child and severely affected the life of another.

The exact date of the crime was October 23, 2021. Michel’s current status is 60 months in federal prison, with 3 years of federal supervised release. This incident highlights the devastating consequences of drinking and driving and serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible behavior behind the wheel.

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