Woman sentenced after hit-and-run paralyzed biker

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The woman accused in a hit-and-run crash that left a biker paralyzed is behind bars.

During a tearful hearing, Jenna Woodring pleaded guilty to felony serious injury by vehicle.

Woodring read a lengthy letter of apology explaining that she suffers from mental illness and that she and the victim crossed paths during one of her darkest days. She said the accident turned her life around and said she's getting the help she needs and she actually thanked Scott Curtis for that.

Curtis had nothing to say Monday as he left the Mecklenburg County courthouse. He had just come face to face with 26-year-old Woodring for the first time. She hit him in July 2012 as he was riding his bike on Brown Grier Road in Charlotte and then kept going the crash left him paralyzed from the waist down.

Woodring's mother said her family has been living this nightmare since the crash and her daughter echoed that in court as she read a tearful letter of apology to Curtis.

It was a far cry from the Woodring caught on camera when officers arrested her after the crash last year.

She didn't remember the crash then and still doesn't now.

Woodring's attorney said she's bipolar and suffers from borderline personality disorder. Prosecutors said she'd also been drinking and using marijuana before the crash.

Curtis didn't talk, but in an interview almost a year ago he told us his biggest wish that hasn't come true.

"We're hopeful that I'll get my legs back and be able to walk again," Curtis said.

Woodring's family hopes for the same.

"Society is not putting any money into mental health care so innocent victims like Mr. Curtis are getting hurt because people like my daughter are needing help and not getting it," said Woodring's mother.

The judge echoed that sentiment as Channel 9 saw him dabbing his eyes from the bench.

Woodring was sentenced to serve the next 120 days in jail. After that she could be on probation for the next two years or so.

WSOC