Corbin woman gets 10 years in prison for 2013 car crash

A Corbin woman who pleaded guilty to an amended count of second-degree assault in connection with 2013 car wreck, was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison.

Forty-year-old Ruth Ann Marcum received the maximum sentence for the class C felony under the terms of the plea agreement reached prior to her rearraignment April 13.

As part of the plea agreement, four counts of first-degree assault were dismissed.

Under Kentucky Law, Marcum must serve two years before she will be eligible for parole. She will receive credit for the time she has been held in the Laurel County Detention Center while the case has made its way through the court system.

Marcum was arrested July 4 following the wreck on Ky. 770 on the bridge over the Laurel River.

According to Laurel County Sheriff’s Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, the department’s public affairs officer, Marcum was travelling east toward Corbin when she lost control of her GMC Sierra pickup, crossed the center line and struck the Chrysler 300 driven by Danny E. Barnett, 63, of Corbin.

In the vehicle with Barnett were four family members, Marsha Barnett, Becky Barnett, Jeffery Barnett and Brett Barnett.

Marcum and the Barnetts were all taken by ambulance to Baptist Health Corbin. Becky and Brett Barnett were then airlifted to the University of Kentucky Medical Center.

Deputy Robbie Grimes reported that Marcum appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. However, because of her injuries, she was unable to undergo a field sobriety tests.

Deputies reported finding several different types of prescription pills stored in an allergy pill bottle inside Marcum’s truck.

Marcum was indicted in August on five counts of first-degree assault.