A Missouri woman who was pardoned by former President Donald Trump for her role in the January 6 Capitol riot has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for causing a deadly drunk driving crash that killed a woman and left her husband seriously injured.
Emily Hernandez, 23, was convicted of driving the wrong way on Interstate 44 on January 5, 2022, just days after receiving her presidential pardon.
Her blood alcohol level was .125 when she crashed head-on into the car of Victoria and Ryan Wilson, who had just left a 15th wedding anniversary dinner.
From Capitol Rioter to Convicted Felon
Hernandez first gained national attention after being caught on video inside the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021, attack. She was seen holding a broken nameplate stolen from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and later pleaded guilty, serving 30 days in federal prison before Trump granted her a pardon.
Just days later, she made a fatal decision. Her wrong-way driving on I-44 led to a collision that killed Victoria Wilson, 32, and left Ryan Wilson with severe injuries. The couple’s two children, now 18 and 13, were left without a mother.
Hernandez Expresses Regret, But Justice Is Served
In court, Hernandez expressed remorse, calling her actions “ungodly” and saying she prays daily for the Wilson family. “I feel like it should not have been her, it should have been me.
She had a family, and I was lost at the time,” she stated.
Despite her apology, prosecutors argued that her choices led to an irreversible tragedy.
The court handed down a 10-year prison sentence, marking a stark contrast from her previously short time served for the Capitol riot.
