This story has been updated to add additional photos.
A woman convicted of driving under the influence in a crash that killed a Deltona skateboarder was sentenced May 14 to 30 days in the county jail and 12 months probation.
Laurie A. Colletti, 61, of Deltona, went on trial charged with DUI causing human death, a second-degree felony with a penalty of up to 15 years in prison, in the crash that killed 31-year-old John Ramos.
However, a jury last week rejected the felony charge and returned the guilty verdict on the misdemeanor DUI. Colletti had been free on $10,000 bail but was remanded into custody to await sentencing.
Circuit Judge A. Kathleen McNeilly sentenced Colletti to 30 days in jail followed by 12 months probation. Colletti will receive credit for time already served, which was nine days, according to online records May 14.
McNeilly also ordered that Colletti perform 50 hours of community service, pay a $1,000 fine, and undergo substance abuse evaluation and treatment. The judge also revoked her driver’s license for 12 months.
Skateboarder was going to check on father in Deltona
Ramos’ fiancée said previously that Ramos had left their home in Deltona that night to check on his father who lived nearby. Ramos was studying for his real estate license at the time.
Ramos was holding a skateboard standing on the shoulder by Normandy Boulevard and Merrimac Street in Deltona, a report stated.
Colletti was driving a 2015 Nissan Rogue SUV about 9:07 p.m. on Feb. 24, 2021, when it struck Ramos. He died at Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford shortly after midnight.
Prosecutor asks for six months in jail for Deltona crash
At sentencing, Assistant State Attorney Jeanne Stratis asked for six months in the county jail and six months’ probation, 12 months revocation of Colletti’s driver’s license, a $1,000 fine, 50 hours of community service, and substance abuse evaluation and treatment.
Stratis argued at trial that Colletti had veared off the road and struck Ramos while he was standing on the shoulder. She cited testimony from two witnesses who said they saw Ramos standing on the shoulder. She said photos showed medical equipment on the grass.
Defense argues for probation in Colletti case
Colletti’s defense attorney, Matthew Ferry, asked in a sentencing memorandum that she receive time served and 12 months probation.
Ferry argued in part that Colletti had never been arrested, charged or convicted of a crime before and had no history of substance abuse. He attached 16 character letters from her husband, children, stepdaughters and others. He wrote she raised three children as a single mother. She volunteered with Bikers Against Child Abuse for many years, Ferry wrote.
Ferry argued at trial that even if jurors decided that Colletti was driving under the influence, the crash was the fault of Ramos, whom Ferry said either walked or skated into the path of Colletti’s SUV.
Ferry hired an accident reconstructionist for the trial who testified that the crash happened in the road. In the memorandum, Ferry wrote that the state also had hired an accident reconstructionist but did not call him to testify at trial, because his testimony would have been “adverse” to the prosecution. Ferry wrote that the state’s expert’s conclusions “mirrored” those of the defense expert.
Ferry wrote that the jury’s verdict established that Ramos’ death “was not legally attributable” to Colletti’s conduct.
Ferry added that Colletti does not minimize that Ramos lost his life.
Ferry wrote: “Her acknowledgment of the loss, and her sincere regret that her decision to drive that night placed her on the road at that hour, are unconditional.”
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Driver sentenced for DUI in crash that killed Deltona skateboarder
Reporting by Frank Fernandez, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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