EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. — A repeat felony DUI offender received a 32-month state prison sentence in El Dorado County Superior Court after pleading guilty to felony driving under the influence, the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office announced this week.
According to the DA’s office, Holly Marie Kelly was behind the wheel Nov. 3, 2024, when she drove at high speeds in a 25 mph residential zone on Sierra Oaks Drive and crashed with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.32%, more than three times California’s legal limit of 0.08%.
Kelly’s record included a prior felony DUI conviction and a strike conviction for a serious or violent felony — both of which contributed to prosecutors charging her with a repeat felony offense.
Superior Court Judge [Name pending public record] imposed the sentence on Monday, Jan. 12, after Kelly’s guilty plea. Under California law, felony DUI convictions with prior offenses can lead to state prison terms ranging from 16 months to three years, particularly when aggravating factors like high BAC and crash circumstances are present.
“Driving under the influence puts lives at risk — every time,” the DA’s social media post said. “If you plan to drink, please choose a safe ride: designate a sober driver, use a rideshare, or call a friend.”
The crash on Sierra Oaks Drive drew witness complaints about unsafe driving before law enforcement arrived and noted clear signs of impairment. Kelly also admitted to consuming alcohol prior to operating the vehicle, according to the DA’s office release.
El Dorado County falls under California’s DUI sentencing framework, where subsequent felony DUI offenses carry increasingly severe penalties, including longer prison terms, extended probation, and mandatory participation in licensed DUI education programs.
Local law enforcement and prosecutors emphasized that such sentencing aims to curb repeat impaired driving and improve public safety on county roads.
