An Armuchee woman was sentenced Thursday to 12 years in prison for a February wreck that tragically resulted in an Armuchee Elementary School teacher losing her leg. Floyd County Superior Court Judge Kay Ann King handed down the sentence to Shannon Marie Hampton, 40, who had previously pleaded guilty to felony serious injury by vehicle in an open plea deal.

Hampton’s final sentence was set at 22 years, with 12 years to be served in prison. Following her release, she will have an opportunity to complete a rehabilitation program; failure to do so will result in an additional three years behind bars.

The collision, which occurred on February 24 on Martha Berry Highway, caused severe injuries to Hannah Nabors, an elementary school teacher and mother. Nabors was trapped in her vehicle for over two hours as emergency responders worked tirelessly to extricate her. She ultimately underwent surgery, leading to the amputation of her left leg.

During the sentencing, Judge King sternly addressed Hampton, highlighting the gravity of her actions and her extensive record. “You should have seen this coming,” Judge King stated. “Only by the grace of God did you not kill two innocent people, but it’s unimaginable how you have changed this woman’s life.”

Floyd County Assistant District Attorney Morgan Bottger informed the court that Hampton was under the influence of numerous drugs when her vehicle clipped another car preparing to turn into Ole Tymer BBQ at 4534 Martha Berry Highway. This impact pushed the turning vehicle directly into the path of Nabors’ oncoming car.

Judge King detailed Hampton’s troubling history, noting that this was her sixth arrest on meth charges. She had also been sent to multiple rehab facilities for treatment in the past. “I want to review your caseload to remind you of how many opportunities you’ve had,” King said to Hampton. “And this court is all about treatment — but at some point we have to go into protection mode, because you have proven that you will always choose drugs over rehab.”

Hannah Nabors delivered a powerful victim impact statement before the sentencing, recounting the harrowing moments of the wreck and its profound aftermath. She described driving with her young son when the collision occurred, causing her car to flip multiple times before coming to rest against a utility pole. Trapped and severely injured, she could hear her son crying nearby. After being extricated, she was rushed to a trauma center in Chattanooga, where surgeons were forced to remove her leg.

“I spent eight weeks in a wheelchair and could not tuck my kids into bed, load the dishwasher or even cook for my family,” Nabors shared with the court. “And it was five months before I got behind the wheel, and I still cannot stand to have anyone else in the car with me.”

Despite her grueling ordeal, Nabors expressed a remarkable sense of forgiveness toward Hampton. “Because of my faith, I can stand here with forgiveness,” she said. “Christ forgave me, so I can forgive you.”

However, Nabors emphasized that forgiveness does not negate accountability. “I am forever changed because of you. The Hannah Nabors from before the accident is gone,” she concluded. “You took so much from me.”