Amy M. Maxfield got enough alcohol into her 5-foot 4-inch, 127-pound frame to register a 0.367 blood-alcohol content April 2. When she got behind the wheel of her black Chevy Malibu, the situation became, as Allen Superior Judge Fran Gull put it, “horrible.”

Maxfield, 23, more than 4 1/2 times over the legal alcohol limit, was identified by police as the driver of the Malibu that was involved in three crashes on west-side city streets that left a path of wreckage and injured at least two, including a 5-year-old boy who suffered a broken leg.

Gull said Friday during Maxfield's sentencing hearing that although she weighed heavily the severity of Maxfield's actions, the former IPFW honor student likely needs medical treatment more than prison time.

Gull sentenced Maxfield to six months in prison on charges of Class C felony criminal recklessness, Class D felony operating while intoxicated causing injury and misdemeanor failure to stop.

The sentence will be followed by 3 1/2 years of probation served on home detention. Gull ordered that Maxfield be escorted by a Community Corrections staff member on her release from prison to begin probation because “I don't want you unmonitored.”

Maxfield also was ordered to repay $224.89 in restitution to one of her victims.

The incident for which Maxfield was sentenced began when she struck two mailboxes in the 7400 block of Bass Road. Next she rammed the rear of an occupied car, then struck its passenger-side door before fleeing.

Maxfield then disregarded the red light at the intersection of Illinois and Hadley roads, hitting another vehicle before fleeing that scene.

Finally, she rear-ended an entire group of vehicles, inside one of which were a driver and a 5-year-old boy, whose leg was broken in the crash.

Police found a clump of Maxfield's hair in the smashed windshield of her vehicle.

She was charged with nine criminal counts, including five felonies, after police caught up with her at a local hospital.

When Maxfield's mother, Karen Bailey, came to check on her daughter, who was being treated for her own injuries, investigators asked her if Maxfield commonly drank.

“I told them no,” said Bailey. “She might have a glass of wine. It wasn't until the next day that I found out what her blood-alcohol level was.”

Maxfield's attorney, Randy Fisher, told the court Maxfield has multiple medical conditions, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Fisher also said Maxfield has a history of substance abuse.

“This is an unfortunate case of lack of judgment,” Fisher told Gull. “She's served her debt. It's time to get her rehabilitated.”

Maxfield broke down as she told Gull how remorseful she was, explaining she was deeply sorry to each of her victims for the pain she's caused them. “The pain I feel is intense.”

Gull took that remorse as a mitigating factor into Maxfield's sentence, as well as her acceptance of responsibility and lack of a criminal record.

The nature of the crime, however, and the blood-alcohol content involved also influenced Gull in her sentencing decision, she said.