Driver who hit teen in crosswalk gets suspended sentence

A 47-year-old Carson City motorist who critically injured a student in a crosswalk near Douglas High School a year ago received a six-month suspended sentence Friday.

East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl took into consideration the fact that Jasna Slipcevic Richmond is in prison for the next year on an unrelated drug charge, and that she had medical issues which would cost taxpayers if she were incarcerated in Douglas County.

Richmond is serving a 12-30-month sentence at the Florence McClure Women's Correctional Center in North Las Vegas for unlawfully filling a prescription.

The judge said he was appalled that the victim, Samantha Calvillo, was stuck with $85,000 in medical bills not covered by Richmond's insurance.

Deputy District Attorney Justina Caviglia said Richmond's insurance policy would only pay $15,000 of the $100,000 in bills incurred so far.

"You ran over a pedestrian, and we're only going to pay $15,000?" he said.

Looking at Richmond, who brought an oxygen tank to court, EnEarl said, "She hasn't got $85,000. That's really wrong."

Richmond pleaded guilty to failing to maintain due care to avoid a collision with a pedestrian, a misdemeanor.

The accident occurred March 8, 2007.

Calvillo, 18, of Gardnerville, was in the crosswalk on Highway 88 in front of Douglas High School on her way to class when she was struck by Richmond's vehicle.

Richmond told the Nevada Highway Patrol she lit a cigarette and was reaching for coffee when she struck Calvillo. She told investigators she felt a hard hit, heard a loud noise, and thought she hit a bird.

A blood-alcohol test revealed she had tranquilizers Nordiasepam and Oxazepam in her system at the time of the accident.

Richmond, who is on disability, said Friday she wanted to make restitution.

"Anyway I can make some effort to pay back the $85,000, I will when I get out of prison," she said.

"I'll be dead before that gets paid off," EnEarl said.

Calvillo, who was at the sentencing, said she hired an attorney to pursue restitution through a civil case.

"I'm OK," she said after EnEarl inquired about her health. "I still limp now and then. It really hurts sometimes from the weather."

Calvillo suffered a broken leg, lacerated forehead, bruised elbow and bruised lung. She was taken by helicopter to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno.

EnEarl told Richmond she cannot drive.

He sentenced her to a six-month suspended sentence consecutive to her prison term.

She must report to Chief Probation Officer Doug Swalm within 72 hours of her release. Richmond is forbidden to use drugs and alcohol and is subject to random search and seizure.

"I am not giving you jail now because I do not want to dump your medical nightmare on the Douglas County Jail. If you violate your probation, the jail will figure out how to house you," EnEarl said.

He thanked the victim and her family for attending the sentencing.

"I'm not going to be able to get restitution," he said. "I hate saying that. I only recall one other time in 14 years that's happened."

Calvillo's mother, Charlotte Tupas, requested that Richmond's drug issues be monitored.

"It's not only for my daughter," she said. "It's for the other people out there."