A 28-year-old New Bedford woman, who struck and killed a 77-year-old Dartmouth woman with her car while operating under the influence of drugs two years ago, was sentenced to serve five to six years in state prison.

April Pimental pleaded guilty to manslaughter by OUI on February 27 at the Fall River Superior Court .

Here's what happened according to the Bristol County District Attorney's office:

On July 21, 2015, Dartmouth Police arrived at an accident near the high school on Bakerville Road. There, officers found that Hortense Medeiros had suffered a broken right leg and severe head trauma from being hit by Pimental's 1996 Toyota Camry. Medeiros was known to have been a frequent walker in the area.

Police also found Pimental standing next to her car.

Witnesses’ reports and a police investigation revealed that Pimental was traveling south on Russell Mills Road, crossed the centerline, mounted the east sidewalk, and hit Medeiros before then striking a tree. Several witnesses said Pimental crossed into the oncoming lane of travel and almost collided with other vehicles.

Medeiros was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries two days later. The autopsy report listed the cause of death as multiple and traumatic injuries due to blunt force impact. The victim sustained injuries to her head, torso, and lower extremities.

Pimental admitted to police that she had used heroin earlier in the day, and consented to have her blood drawn. A toxicology report showed traces of opiates, benzodiazepines, and cannabis.

Pimental's parents told police that prior to the crash, they had argued with their daughter about getting her into rehab.

During the plea hearing, Assistant District Attorney Katie Rayburn argued for a five to seven year state prison sentence, while Pimental requested a five year state prison term.

Representative Chris Markey (D-Dartmouth) recently presented House bills that would curb both opiate abuse and reckless driving if passed by the state.