Woman who ran red light killing 40-year-old man while driving intoxicated sentenced to 8 years

Jatonya Pringle

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Documents obtained from the St. Joseph Superior Court reveal Jatonya Pringle pleaded guilty to Causing Death when Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated, a Level 4 Felony, Reckless Homicide, a Level 5 Felony, and Causing Death while Operating a Motor Vehicle with Schedule I or II Controlled Substance in the Blood, a Level 4 Felony, regarding a deadly August 2024 crash.

The two-vehicle crash occurred on Aug. 29, 2024, at the intersection of Jefferson Boulevard and Jefferson Drive resulting in the death of 40-year-old Forrest Gibbs, of South Bend, after Pringle failed to stop at a red light.

The court accepted Pringle's guilty plea, and she was sentenced to a 10-year executed sentence.

Pringle is set to serve 8 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections, followed by 2 years served at St. Joeph County Community Corrections at the level of supervision deemed appropriate by SJCCC but beginning in work release.

As a condition of placement with SJCCC, court documents state Pringle must undergo a substance abuse and mental health evaluation and participate in any recommended treatment.

The document goes on to state, if Pringle becomes significantly non-compliant with the rules and requirements of placement, SJCCC may place her in the custody of the St. Joseph County Jail for up to five days.

 SJCCC would then determine if she'll be allowed to continue her participation.

Pringle's license has also been suspended for 10 years.

Pringle was then assessed court costs, a $200 ADC fee, and a $750 Public Defender fee, and must provide a DNA sample as required by Ind. Code 10-13- 6-10.

First Warning Neighborhood Weather

Close