Author Topic: Woman whose nail painting caused fatal crash gets 18 months...  (Read 2274 times)

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Offline Damfino

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http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/07/woman-who-did-nails-and-caused-fatal-crash-gets-18-months-in-jail.html

Lora Hunt, the woman found guilty of reckless homicide for crashing into a motorcyclist while painting her nails, asked her family to give her grandchildren hugs, told them to write and reminded her husband to feed the dog before being led off to begin serving 18 months in prison.

According to the sentence imposed by Lake County Judge Fred Foreman, the 49-year-old Morris woman will spend her nights in jail, but will be allowed to leave during the day for work, counseling and community service. Foreman's sentence includes 240 hours of community service and 30 months of probation.

"If we can get the message out about this tragedy maybe something positive can come out of this terrible tragedy," Foreman said.

A jury found Hunt guilty on May 6 of causing Zaffke's death when Hunt's car rear-ended struck from behind as she sat on her motorcycle at a red light near Lake Zurich on May 2, 2009.

"I think Judge Foreman was cognizant that a statement had to be made," said Greg Zaffke II, the son of the victim, Anita Zaffke of Lake Zurich.

In an emotional victim's impact statement before the sentencing, Greg Zaffke II  said that even if the maximum sentence of five years were imposed, Hunt, would likely have many free years left to spend with her family, something his mother, who was 56 when she died, will never get.

"Lora Hunt took that time away from my mom and our family," he said.

In tears, Greg Zaffke II spoke of his marriage to Heidi Bennett on July 16, 2010.

"At the same time I had to try to write about the loss of my mother, I was also writing my marriage vows," he said. "She wasn't sitting in the chair we set up for her at the ceremony. That day, no tears of happiness would fall on my shoulder as she hugged me and my wife, Heidi."

In his victim's impact statement, Anita Zaffke's husband of over 35 years, Greg Zaffke, said that since his wife's death he feels like he has "remained in a fluctuating emotional fog or haze."

"I live every day thinking about how Anita had her life taken away from us due to someone's vanity and recklessness," he said in tears. "I miss Anita with everything in my soul."   

Hunt sobbed audible tears and put her head in her hands at times during Greg Zaffke II's statement. She continued to cry often throughout the 3 ½ hours of testimony, which included eight character witnesses on her behalf. 

Hunt's father, therapist, minster, friend, brother, son, daughter and husband all spoke about her character, calling her compassionate, caring and honest.

Mark Hunt, Lora Hunt's husband of 33 ½ years, said his wife was happy and joyful before the crash.

"She was the kind of person who let you know that it was OK to dance in the kitchen," he said. "No one ever left our house without a smile."

Since the accident, Lora Hunt has been depressed, deeply remorseful and at times suicidal, he said.

"Every day she relives that day," Mark Hunt said. "She cries sometimes two, three, or four times a day."

After the character witness testimonies were complete, prosecutor Mike Mermel asked Foreman to impose the maximum sentence of five years.

"Because the defendant wanted pretty nails, Anita Zaffke had to die," he said. "She had literally turned two tons of glass and steel into a guided missile, and Anita Zaffke was her target."

Hunt's attorney Jeff Tomczak argued that she should receive probation because she is a good person who was deeply remorseful about the crash.

Before Foreman reached his sentence, Lora Hunt had an opportunity to read a statement.

"I want the family (of Anita Zaffke) to know I am deeply sorry for my actions on May 2, 2009," she said. "I wish I could embrace Anita's family and tell them how sorry I am."

After the sentencing, Greg Zaffke II said he was not ready for such an interaction with Hunt.

"I've got family that's there to do that," he said. "My problem is that I can't hug my mom." 

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Offline my78k

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Re: Woman whose nail painting caused fatal crash gets 18 months...
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2010, 11:05:11 AM »
although the sentence seems light at the same time if she spent the entire time in prison she would learn from it but no one else would. It's too late for the rider but hopefully not too late to get the message out and save many more of us....there but for the grace of god go I....

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Offline Duke McDukiedook

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Re: Woman whose nail painting caused fatal crash gets 18 months...
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2010, 11:27:13 AM »
Death by Buddha Buddha is the only worthy sentence here.  :(
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Offline Damfino

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Re: Woman whose nail painting caused fatal crash gets 18 months...
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2010, 11:36:42 AM »


18 months in jail, but only at night. Is that justice?
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Offline The_Crippler

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Re: Woman whose nail painting caused fatal crash gets 18 months...
« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2010, 11:52:31 AM »
18 months in jail, but only at night. Is that justice?

Yeah, I've never understood those sorts of sentences...I can sleep anywhere...so, you're saying that, for 18 months, she just doesn't get to sleep in her own bed?  I mean, if they're letting her out during the day, I'm guessing this is a minimum security prison without many hardcases in there to worry about while she's sleeping.

But hey, this is why I'm not a judge.

Offline mgbgt89

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Re: Woman whose nail painting caused fatal crash gets 18 months...
« Reply #5 on: July 23, 2010, 12:40:29 PM »
I hope they permanently revoke her drivers licence.

Offline flybox1

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Re: Woman whose nail painting caused fatal crash gets 18 months...
« Reply #6 on: July 23, 2010, 12:52:58 PM »
I hope they permanently revoke her drivers licence.
...and religiously pull out her fingernails for the rest of her life.

Tragic.
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Offline 77cafe750

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Re: Woman whose nail painting caused fatal crash gets 18 months...
« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2010, 01:29:16 PM »
i really do not agree with this sentence
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Offline noahspop

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Re: Woman whose nail painting caused fatal crash gets 18 months...
« Reply #8 on: July 23, 2010, 02:11:20 PM »
Incidents like this one and the one in Arizona a few months back, make me always check my mirrors at stop lights.
Such a sad story.

Offline Duke McDukiedook

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Re: Woman whose nail painting caused fatal crash gets 18 months...
« Reply #9 on: July 23, 2010, 02:28:09 PM »
That's why it is a good idea to keep it in first and pay attention 360 degrees at lights.
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Offline xfactor

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Re: Woman whose nail painting caused fatal crash gets 18 months...
« Reply #10 on: July 23, 2010, 05:20:43 PM »
An 18 month vacation. Maybe I will mow her down at a stop light while trimming my hair or mustache. I could use a good vacation meet up with my family during the day and a nice quite place to sleep.

Offline The_Crippler

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Re: Woman whose nail painting caused fatal crash gets 18 months...
« Reply #11 on: July 23, 2010, 07:41:59 PM »
That's why it is a good idea to keep it in first and pay attention 360 degrees at lights.


Ditto - I'm always a clutch pop away from taking off at stop lights.

Offline 77cafe750

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Re: Woman whose nail painting caused fatal crash gets 18 months...
« Reply #12 on: July 24, 2010, 01:36:13 AM »
shoot i live n the same state and they wanted to give me 4 yers for ine dui barely over the limit dl expired and ag dui felony charge no property damage no accident just speeding
live like an outlaw and love like an angel
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Offline xfactor

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Re: Woman whose nail painting caused fatal crash gets 18 months...
« Reply #13 on: July 24, 2010, 08:36:47 AM »
I have 2 friends that spent more time in jail then this lady. One attempted to out run the cops in his ls1 trans am. The other sold his depresson meds to an undercover cop. In both situations no one died or even came close to being hurt. Is this justice? In my opinion no. He said she only got 18 months because she was sorry, yeah well both of my friends were sorry as well.

Offline demon78

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Re: Woman whose nail painting caused fatal crash gets 18 months...
« Reply #14 on: July 24, 2010, 08:43:00 AM »
And that friends is what is wrong with the various justice systems, the punishment does no fit the crime.
Bill the demon.

Offline johnyvilla

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Re: Woman whose nail painting caused fatal crash gets 18 months...
« Reply #15 on: July 24, 2010, 08:46:33 AM »
People are seriously numb to the dangers around them these days. When I was a kid no one had phones, television or GPS to distract their driving, and it was dangerous back then!

My old lady and I were riding down the Eisenhower the other day, and I could tell from the fingernails in my sides, she was a little tense. When we stopped she told me almost every driver we passed was on a phone. I really don't think about other drivers mind sets when I'm riding, but it is scary. People crawl in their cars, disconnect from the real world, listen to music, text, do their nails or whatever. They need to expand the chicago hand-held phone law.

Offline my78k

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Re: Woman whose nail painting caused fatal crash gets 18 months...
« Reply #16 on: July 24, 2010, 08:58:44 AM »
we have a no electronic devices law here too but I find all it does is make people hold the phone lower when they text in hopes of not getting caught. It forces their eyers even futher down and as such they don't even have peripheral vision to aid them.

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Offline Ecosse

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Re: Woman whose nail painting caused fatal crash gets 18 months...
« Reply #17 on: July 24, 2010, 08:24:06 PM »
oh boo hoo. she's depressed.

i'm too pissed to come up with a wise @ss remark.

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Offline Spanner 1

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Re: Woman whose nail painting caused fatal crash gets 18 months...
« Reply #18 on: July 24, 2010, 10:23:34 PM »
I'm never too pissed to come up with a wised-ass remark.....first don't rely on the justice system to come-up with an appropriate punishment... only the people, told the facts , would ever deciede that IMO... O.K, here's the wise-ass part : lets introduce an actual 'driving test' in this country.......
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Offline Motoguy23

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Re: Woman whose nail painting caused fatal crash gets 18 months...
« Reply #19 on: July 24, 2010, 11:36:03 PM »
I've actually seen a guy one a crotch rocket riding next to me while texting.  Felt a little like swerving into his lane just a bit so he'd pay attention. 

My mother made sure to pound the dangers of riding a motorcycle into my head.  Look twice when changing lanes, helmet all the time, head on a swivel.   Probably best that I'm on a 500 so I can't get going too fast. ;D
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Offline tramp

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Re: Woman whose nail painting caused fatal crash gets 18 months...
« Reply #20 on: July 25, 2010, 04:07:28 AM »
she killed someone
she gets 18 months
gets to go to work
see her family
hang around with friends
that is one mean sentence
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Offline Duke McDukiedook

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Re: Woman whose nail painting caused fatal crash gets 18 months...
« Reply #21 on: July 26, 2010, 02:27:39 PM »
I have 2 friends that spent more time in jail then this lady. One attempted to out run the cops in his ls1 trans am. The other sold his depresson meds to an undercover cop. In both situations no one died or even came close to being hurt. Is this justice? In my opinion no. He said she only got 18 months because she was sorry, yeah well both of my friends were sorry as well.

Yeah, but your friends were obviously horrible felons that should be put down- no help for them.

This old bag was just so stupid and negligent in her actions she killed an inncocent citizen- BUT SHE'S SORRY and not a horrible person!

Get it?!?!?  :)
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Offline tortelvis

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Re: Woman whose nail painting caused fatal crash gets 18 months...
« Reply #22 on: July 27, 2010, 09:17:29 AM »
I have never heard of a person caught breaking the law that wasn't sorry...that they got caught. This type of sentence sends what kind of message? I have seeing this type of thing for years and feel that if I want to committ murder I just need to make sure I am behind a steering wheel when I do so. I remember a case in England many years ago where a retired  80 year old teacher mistook her accelerator for her brake pedal and ran down a crowd of people. She blamed it all on a taxi radio "taking control" of her gas pedal despite that not even being possible. She got a 400 pound fine, no points and no ban. She refused to surrender her license as she felt that she had done nothing wrong! Three dead and foyr in hospital. Personally I would start cutting hands off for this kind of offense. Two strikes and you're out, hard to drive with no hands.

Offline Gordon

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Re: Woman whose nail painting caused fatal crash gets 18 months...
« Reply #23 on: July 27, 2010, 09:43:42 AM »
This type of sentence sends what kind of message? I have seeing this type of thing for years and feel that if I want to committ murder I just need to make sure I am behind a steering wheel when I do so.

That's pretty much the lesson to be learned from this type of incident.  Even when the driver who caused the death was DUI, the sentence still usually ends up being amazingly light.