Woman And Father Sentenced In Hit And Run Death And Attempted Cover Up
VAN NUYS (CBS) — An Oxnard woman was sentenced to prison Tuesday, and her father to jail, after she killed a teen cyclist in a hit and run accident and he helped her cover it up.
Dominique Rush, 23, admitted to running over killing German Alex Romero, 17, as he rode his bicycle on De Soto Avenue in Canoga Park on the night of April 20.
Investigators say Rush hit Romero from behind, and her father, Stephen Rush helped her cover up the crime.
Rush pleaded no contest to manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident.
In court Tuesday, Romero's family members spoke of their loss and displayed photos of the teen.
Rush delivered a tearful apology.
"I'll never be able to forgive myself," said Rush. "And I'm sorry for all the pain that I caused his family."
Her father also apologized. "IT was never our intention to hide, or stay away from anything," he said.
Dominique – whose attorneys argued she panicked – was sentenced to two years, eight months in prison.
"It seems fair for the loss," Romero's mother said through an interpreter. "Because my son is no longer with us."
Steven Rush was sentenced to three years of probation, 10 days in jail and community service. He was taken into custody by deputies.
