Norman Mother Convicted of Drunk Driving to Be Released After 70 Days

Sara Polston will be released from prison after serving just a fraction of her 8-year sentence for a nearly deadly crash.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Sara Polston, a woman from Norman, Oklahoma, who admitted to driving drunk and causing a nearly deadly crash in 2023, will be released from prison on Thursday after serving only 70 days of an 8-year sentence. The victim, Micaela Borrego, was in a coma for two months and is still recovering from her injuries. The early release has sparked outrage from the victim's family and the local district attorney, who say the law allowing this is not being applied as intended.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about early release programs and whether they are being applied appropriately, especially in cases involving serious crimes that have severely impacted victims' lives. It raises questions about sentencing guidelines, prison overcrowding, and the balance between rehabilitation and accountability.

The details

In 2023, Sara Polston, who was allegedly on her way to pick up her kids, crashed into Micaela Borrego while driving 66 mph in a 25 mph zone. Borrego was in a coma for two months and is still recovering from her injuries. Polston was sentenced in December 2025 to 8 years in prison, but the Oklahoma Department of Corrections determined she was eligible for early release due to a program aimed at reducing prison overcrowding. Polston will be released on Thursday, just 70 days into her sentence, sparking outrage from the victim's family and the local district attorney.

  • In 2023, Polston crashed into Borrego.
  • Polston was sentenced in December 2025 to 8 years in prison.
  • Polston will be released on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

The players

Sara Polston

A woman from Norman, Oklahoma, who admitted to driving drunk and causing a nearly deadly crash in 2023.

Micaela Borrego

The victim of Polston's drunk driving crash, who was in a coma for two months and is still recovering from her injuries.

Krista Borrego

Micaela Borrego's mother, who has expressed outrage over Polston's early release.

Jennifer Austin

The Cleveland County District Attorney, who has also criticized the early release program and its application in this case.

Oklahoma Department of Corrections

The agency that determined Polston was eligible for early release through a program aimed at reducing prison overcrowding.

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What they’re saying

“This is not what the law intends: that a victim can almost be killed and 70 days later, they're released. We have to do better. This is not okay.”

— Jennifer Austin, Cleveland County District Attorney (KFOR)

“It just feels very privileged. This is not normal.”

— Krista Borrego, Micaela Borrego's mother (KFOR)

“She [judge] gave her eight years, and with the stroke of a pen, the DOC [Department of Corrections] was able to unravel that.”

— Krista Borrego, Micaela Borrego's mother (KFOR)

What’s next

The Borrego family is pleading for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections to reconsider Polston's early release and hold her accountable for the severe impact her actions had on Micaela Borrego's life.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for a more balanced approach to early release programs, one that considers the gravity of the crime and the long-term consequences for victims, rather than solely focusing on reducing prison overcrowding. It raises important questions about sentencing guidelines and the application of laws intended to promote rehabilitation.