Distracted Driver Gets 6 Years In Prison For Fatally Striking Motorist At 85 MPH
SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — A distracted driver who caused the death of another motorist in 2011 was sentenced Friday to six years in prison.
Jorene Nicolas, 32, was going about 85 mph when, authorities said, she was texting and answering her cellphone before causing the deadly crash that killed 23-year-old Deanna Mauer.
At the time of the crash, around 11 a.m. April 27, 2011, police said Nicholas failed to notice that traffic in front of her had come to a stop.
Nicholas, a San Diego resident, was treated for minor injuries and lacerations.
During trial, records showed that Nicolas sent 13 text messages and answered one call in the 15 minutes prior to the crash.
She was given the maximum sentence.
"Just the thought of you being without your daughter has been killing me every day since April 27th," Nicolas said.
Earlier in the case, Nicholas said Mauer was actually at fault for causing the crash. The judge said Nicolas' early lack of remorse was "deafening."
Today, during sentencing she showed remorse.
"I have been praying every day since the accident for her soul and that she's resting in peace," Nicolas said.
Mauer's father also spoke before sentencing.
"The light of my life has gone out," he said, "I have been plagued with depression, stress related heart problems and I'm not the man I was and believe I never will be."
