Mother Faces Life Sentence for Killing Daughter

A mother who killed her daughter in an alcohol-fueled, high-speed crash could face 19 years to life in prison.

Karen Faye Honeycutt, 41, pleaded guilty on Dec. 16 to a charge of DUI gross vehicular manslaughter with enhancements of being a serious felony, inflicting great bodily injury, having multiple victims and using a vehicle, according to court records.

Her sentencing is set for Feb. 3 at the Southwest Justice Center in French Valley.

She killed her daughter, 9-year-old Chloe Honeycutt, in January on Vail Ranch Parkway near Valentino Way, where she smashed the family's sport utility vehicle through a tree and into a light pole, sending two of her children flying through windows, according to investigators.

To read what happened, .

The mother was picking one of her children up from and was drinking behind the wheel, her son testified in court. To read about what he said,

Honeycutt had four DUI convictions on her record before the crash, according to records. To read about her record, .

Chloes death was a blow to her father, Aaron Honeycutt, and her two surviving brothers.

The mother was depressed because of the recent loss of her job, though she had not been drinking until that day, the victim's father said.

Friends of the family opened a bank account to help the Honeycutts with funeral expenses. To read about how to help, .