Former stripper testifies, says deadly crash was an accident

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. - A jury in Hernando County has determined that Brittany Miles will spend the rest of her life in prison.  The former stripper was convicted of first-degree murder for running down a man on a motorcycle.

Thursday, as testimony wrapped up, her defense called just one witness -- Miles herself.

We heard about the DUI arrest, and how Miles escaped her handcuffs, injured a deputy and led law enforcement on a high-speed chase up US 19.

"Yes, I was running from the police in Pasco County.  I've already been convicted and charged with 15 years to that," she said on the witness stand, referring to her November trial in Pasco County in which she was given the lesser charge of battery on a law enforcement officer.

But for the first time, the Spring Hill woman described what happened when she reached County Line Road and swerved to avoid a truck.

"When I was going around the truck, I saw the motorcyclist.  He was kind of slowing down in the intersection.  I slammed on my brakes and I swerved.  I tried to miss him, but I didn't," Miles said, tearfully.

Henry McCain was going to meet friends when Miles slammed into his black Suzuki, killing him instantly.

She says much of what happened on the morning May 10, 2011 is foggy because of all the prescription pills she was on.  She says she became addicted to Oxycodone after a her own car accident two years earlier.

"Did you ever at any point want to strike Mr. McCain," her attorney asked her.

"No I did not.  It was an accident," Miles replied.

Even after hitting McCain, Miles kept driving and even tried to escape on foot when her truck finally stopped. She said she didn't know how serious the collision was.

She tried to apologize, but was cut off by a quick objection.

"I want to tell them that I'm sorry."