Woman Can Avoid Jail For Causing 6-Car Crash By Taking Intervention Program & Community Service
Doris Wass previously was convicted of driving while drunk
A 72-year-old woman was sentenced to 180 days in jail by Judge John Trebets Wednesday in Mentor Municipal Court for drunken driving and causing a 6-car crash .
But Doris Wass, who lives in Mentor, can avoid spending any time in jail if she takes advantage of some options the judge gave her.
First, Trebets suspended 175 days of Wass' sentence. Her 5-day jail stay is sentenced to begin October 17.
However, if Wass completes a community service requirement and a driver's intervention program, then she will not have to go to jail for those five days.
This is a common sentence for Trebets to give first-time drunken drivers, which Wass is.
Trebets also ordered Wass to seek treatment and after care for drinking, fined her $675 and suspended her driver's license for a year.
Trebets previously ordered Wass to pay restitution to the other drivers who were affected by the crash.
On March 26, Wass was driving south on Heisley just north of the intersection with Tyler Boulevard when she lost control of her Kia Forte, Mentor Police Sgt. Mike Majernik said after the crash.
First, Wass hit the curb on her right side. Then she swerved back and hit another car in the side. Next she drove between a Dodge Neon and Honda Civic, sideswiping them both, Majernik said.
Finally, her Forte rear ended a Chevrolet Silverado -- which was, in turn, pushed into a GMC Envoy, Majernik said.
Though nobody was seriously hurt in the crash, the drivers of the Neon and Civic were taken to TriPoint Medical Center in Concord Township as a safety precaution.
Wass was uninjured.
She told police she drank half a beer before leaving her house, Majernik said.
CCRady
11:17 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Hey, I can see this... give her the chance. BUT, if she's picked up again for drinking and driving she needs to have her liscense suspended! She caused a 6 car accident!!! Obviously, she's old enough to know better than to drink and drive. And c'mon, she claims she had 1 beer before she left the house? Really... Ok, ok, time will tell, let's hope this will end here and she won't hurt innocent people in the future by driving drunk. Good luck to her! JMO
Jason Lea
11:33 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
You'll have to forgive me. The judge did suspend her license for a year. I neglected to mention that. I will add that to the story now. My apologies.
News worthy
8:18 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
If our community only knew how many DUI's are reduced to disorderly conduct or referred to a diversion program, The voters and drivers would be appauled. There is a hefty fee for the diversion program, of which the court receives and the drunk gets a clean record. There is so much more.
Jason Lea
9:27 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Almost every first-time drunken driver is referred to a diversion program. As I said in the story, it's common policy for Trebets. Would you recommend jail on a first offense? While I don't want to minimize the seriousness of drunken driving -- I wouldn't write these stories if I didn't think it was a dangerous crime -- I can understand why Trebets puts the emphasis on education and treatment for first-time offenders.
Kathy Adult
10:31 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
You ask "Would you recommend jail on a first offense", my answer is YES! Why give them a chance to kill someone the next time?
Brian Matthews
2:25 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Kathy Adult: you obviously have made no mistakes in your life, so I can understand why you don't think other people should get second chances
Kathy Adult
10:43 am on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Brian, sure I've made mistakes, but I think rolling the dice with other peoples lives is just plain wrong. That's what driving drunk is. If you lost someone you care about to a drunk driver, would it be ok because it was their first time they were caught?