Cookie Consent by Free Privacy Policy Generator
5.2 C
Oslo
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Hit and run driver sent to jail

A Norwegian woman in her 40s who ran down a 12-year-old boy while driving under the influence of narcotics in the winter of 2013, and then fled the scene, was sentenced on Friday to one year and 10 months in jail. Young Olav Hovda, who’d been out roller-skiing on the same country road with his father, died from his injuries the next day.

The tragedy shocked the rural community of Klepp, outside Stavanger, and the female motorist initially tried to hide the traces of the fatal collision. Police found her and the damaged car, however, and after initially denying involvement she later admitted she’d been the driver who struck the 12-year-old. She pleaded guilty to all the charges against her when her trial started earlier this week.

Prosecutors had asked that she be sentenced to two years in prison for vehicular manslaughter, but that was reduced by two months. Her defense attorney said she would not appeal.

“As she testified in court, she’s willing to accept her punishment and take responsibility,” defense attorney Inger Marie Sunde told state broadcaster NRK. “Therefore she won’t challenge her sentence and there will be no appeal.”

She was found guilty of negligence, vehicular manslaughter, driving while under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident. She was also ordered to pay damages of NOK 125,000 (USD 21,000) to each of her young victim’s parents plus a fine of NOK 10,000. Her driver’s license was revoked for life.

newsinenglish.no staff

LATEST STORIES

FOR THE RECORD

For more news on Arctic developments.

MOST READ THIS WEEK

Donate

If you like what we’re doing, please consider a donation. It’s easy using PayPal, or our Norway bank account. READ MORE