Friday, December 5, 2008

The Aftermath of the Video's Second Crash

In the Marker Memories...video's second interview the story of a crash that killed an innocent driver, Pat Brown, 67, was revealed.

The young man who caused her death, 16 when the crash occurred in 2005, was sentenced in September, 2008, in Orlando, FL, court by Circuit Judge Jose R. Rodriquez who said it was the hardest case he had to decide in his career and a "no-win" situation.

The sanctions?

* Six months in county jail, beginning Jan. 12, 2009.
* Five and a half years on probation.
* 500 hours of community service, to include 300 hours assisting in the production of a traffic safety video and 100 hours volunteering in a senior facility.
* He also will be required to view the autopsy photos of Ms. Brown.

Both Jeanne Hyler and Mary-Allison Hyler, Pat Brown's daughter and granddaughter, gave tearful victim impact statements on the witness stand.

Most importantly, Jeanne and Mary-Allison received a heartfelt verbal apology from the defendant who looked them in the eyes for the first time. As a result, "MA and I both feel some "closure" now and are relieved that it's all behind us," Jeanne said.

After watching coverage of the case on local television, Jeanne and Mary-Allison shared a quiet dinner together and toasted to the future and to Pat. Jeanne said she "fell into bed feeling physically and emotionally exhausted, but strangely, at peace."