EASLEY, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Jose Ismael Alejos, 61, of Pickens pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in a crash that killed an Upstate woman.

Alejos veered into oncoming traffic on Gentry Memorial Highway on June 1, 2023.

His truck hit 82-year-old Margaret Kelley’s SUV head-on. Kelley died at the scene from her injuries.

A blood test during the South Carolina Highway Patrol’s investigation confirmed Alejos had taken Xanax before the crash, which impaired his driving ability.

Alejos pleaded guilty on Sept. 18 to DUI resulting in death.

He was sentenced to 12 years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections.

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