Family of metro father killed in crash disappointed in sentencing decision

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — A woman admitted she drove drunk last year and caused a fatal crash. According to court documents, she will not spend time behind bars. "She took a life, and she. Never had to serve one day for that," said Tosha Willoughby, Beau Acton's longtime friend. It was a heartbreaking day at the Oklahoma County Courthouse as family and friends of Beau Acton heard the fate of the person responsible for his death, but it was not the outcome they were hoping for. "You know, I can quote the family…friends; you know, it was a slap in the face. You know, the fact that she didn't even acknowledge being sorry," said Willoughby. Beau Acton was a single dad of two and was killed last March after he left work on his motorcycle in Southwest Oklahoma City. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The police report indicates he tested positive for methamphetamine as well. Shortly after he left work, he was hit by Jennica Burton, who admitted she was driving while drunk. Acton's friends did not know it was the last time they would see him. "He took off like and went left out of here like he always did, and that was at 3:13 Friday night, Saturday morning. And I saw on the news that the call came in at 3:15. Two minutes later," said Reba Williams, Beau Acton's friend and coworker. More than a year later, his friends and family said it's been mentally exhausting. "He was the funniest guy that you would ever meet," said Willoughby. This week, Burton pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and driving under the influence. In return, she was sentenced to 22 years and 1 year, all of those sentences are suspended. "That is devastating to us. Just on the merit of taking him away from us. He was loved. We loved him," said Willoughby. A beloved father and friend is gone, but never forgotten. According to the District Attorney, as long as Burton doesn't commit another crime, she won't spend any time in prison. However, she will have an ignition interlock device on her car for the next two years and take driver's courses. News 4 followed up with the DA's office to ask how the court came to the suspended sentence decision. The DA's office also said it can't talk about what factors go into a plea agreement.