SHARRA HANCOCK

IRON MOUNTAIN — A Florence, Wis., woman was sentenced Monday to five months in jail — and given credit for three months already served — for driving under the influence of drugs with her two young sons in the vehicle.

Sharra Jo Hancock, 31, also must serve 1.5 years of probation, complete substance abuse treatment and perform 480 hours of community service.

Hancock previously pleaded no contest in Dickinson County Circuit Court to felony operating while intoxicated with an occupant younger than 16 — second or subsequent offense.

Kingsford police said Hancock was driving on the 1100 block of Westwood Avenue on June 20 when her vehicle went off the road, struck an embankment and overturned.

Hancock and her two passengers — a 22-month-old boy and an 8-month-old boy — were treated by paramedics at the accident site, according to KPS.

Hancock failed two out of four field sobriety tests, spoke non-stop and admitted consuming prescription medications and marijuana earlier in the day, according to the criminal complaint.

Officers searching her found a smoking device and a canister containing suspected marijuana, as well as a yellow pill identified as the stimulant methylphenidate.

Hancock’s driving privileges were suspended at the time, the complaint states.

Defense attorney Michael Scholke called Hancock’s actions “inexcusable” but noted she does suffer from substance abuse problems.

Hancock has several previous drug and alcohol convictions, Dickinson County Prosecutor Lisa Richards pointed out, and this incident should serve as a “wake-up call.” She could have injured or killed her two youngest sons, or killed herself and left her five children without a mother, Richards said.

Hancock assured Judge Richard Celello she did view the accident as a “huge mistake” and a “wake-up call.” However, she asked for early release so she can attend a court hearing in Florence County regarding termination of her parental rights.

Celello said the probation office would work with Hancock to arrange her attendance at the hearing, but he would not consider releasing her from jail a month early or letting her out on a monitoring bracelet.

Nikki Younk can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 41, or nyounk@ironmountaindailynews.com.