MUSKEGON, Mich. — Sixty-eight-year-old Valerie Durante of Whitehall died more than five months after an alleged drunk-driving crash in July 2017. And the woman who police say was driving the other vehicle is now heading to prison.
The Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office confirms to FOX 17 that Amber Marie Esh, 31, of Muskegon was sentenced Monday to 4-1/2 years to 15 years in prison by Muskegon County Circuit Judge William Marietti. He gave Esh credit for one day she served in jail.
The crash occurred on July 23, 2017 on Zeller Road in Muskegon County’s Fruitland Township. Esh initially was charged only with causing injuries to Durante, who was left paralyzed and on life support. After Durante died on January 2, 2018, the criminal charged was increased to Operating While Intoxicated Causing Death.
Esh entered a no-contest plea on June 5.
