FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — A Washington County jury has upheld the negligent homicide conviction of a Springdale woman in the 2011 traffic death of an elderly resident.
The Northwest Arkansas Times reported in Tuesday's editions that the panel also found Erin Bilimon guilty of disobeying a traffic control device and of not having a driver's license. Circuit Court Judge William Storey sentenced Bilimon Monday to six months in jail and fined her $1,250.
Two witnesses testified Bilimon was driving west on a Springdale road March 21 when she ran a red light and hit 80-year-old Vaughn Aten. Her attorney, Tony Pirani, said the accident was a "terrible tragedy" but didn't rise to the level of negligent homicide.
Springdale city prosecutor Jeff Harper says he hopes the verdict sends a message to unlicensed drivers.
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