A Greenwood woman is now at the center of a felony drunk-driving case after a December crash north of County Road 700 West and U.S. 52 in New Palestine that left a pregnant passenger badly injured. Investigators say an SUV and a Hyundai Accent collided, knocking the pregnant woman unconscious and leaving her with multiple facial fractures and other serious trauma. Prosecutors allege the driver was intoxicated, and the case has moved into Hancock Circuit Court.
Authorities have charged 35-year-old Brittany Leigh Hamilton with a Level 5 felony count of causing serious bodily injury when operating a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of .08 or more, along with misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia. According to the probable cause affidavit, the Dec. 5, 2025, crash happened when a Hyundai Accent rear-ended an SUV that was attempting to turn off U.S. 52. The pregnant passenger, who was about 10 weeks along, reportedly lost consciousness, suffered extreme nose and head pain, and sustained fractures through the anterior maxillary spine. The affidavit and reporting also state Hamilton initially denied drinking but later admitted she had consumed alcohol and smoked before driving, and that the Indiana State Department of Toxicology reported a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.191 grams per 100 milliliters, as reported by Daily Journal.
What the charges mean under Indiana law
Hamilton's most serious count is a Level 5 felony for causing serious bodily injury while driving with a prohibited alcohol level. Under Indiana law, a Level 5 felony generally carries a fixed prison term of between one and six years, with an advisory sentence of three years, according to Justia. The misdemeanor charges for marijuana and paraphernalia possession carry smaller potential penalties but can still factor into any overall sentence if the felony is proven.
Court schedule and bond
At Hamilton's initial hearing in Hancock Circuit Court, Judge Scott Sirk entered a not-guilty plea on her behalf and scheduled a pretrial conference for May 7, 2026. He set bond at $5,000 cash, which Hamilton later posted with the clerk's office. That May pretrial hearing is expected to move the case into the discovery phase, when the defense and prosecution can file motions and begin formally exchanging evidence, according to Daily Journal. For now, Hamilton remains free on bond while the case works its way through the system.
Investigators' findings and medical care
Deputies say they ordered a blood draw for Hamilton while she was being treated at IU Health Methodist Hospital after the crash. IU Health describes the facility as a downtown Indianapolis trauma and teaching hospital. While searching for the Hyundai driver's identification, officers reported finding a small baggie and a smoking pipe, and the plant-like substance inside field-tested positive for marijuana. Court records indicate investigators relied on witness statements and the toxicology report when seeking the more serious felony charge.
The case will continue in Hancock Circuit Court, with the May pretrial conference standing as the next key public step. Hamilton is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty, and court records will determine whether prosecutors pursue additional charges, negotiate a resolution, or push the case to trial. Coverage will be updated as new filings and hearing outcomes are made public.
