Carly Rousso gets 5 years in 'huffing' DUI crash that killed Jaclyn Santos-Sacramento, 5
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Carly Rousso, 20, was sentenced to five years in the 2012 DUI crash that killed 5-year-old Jaclyn Santos-Sacramento.
"I just wanted to say that I'm so sorry for what happened last September 3, 2012. I wish more than anything it could have been me instead of Jaclyn. I am not going to let her die in vain," Rousso said at her sentencing hearing at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan. She said she is committed to staying sober. "There's no words in the English-speaking language that convey how I truly feel right now."
Cameras were allowed in the courthouse, but were not turned on Rousso during her statement. Convicted of aggravated DUI in May after pleading guilty to reckless homicide, she faced up to 14 years in prison. She received a five-year sentence on the reckless homicide charge and four-year sentence on the aggravated DUI charge, which will be served concurrently. The minimum amount of time she has to spend in prison is 3 years and four months, the judge said.
Prosecutors, on behalf of the Santos-Sacramento, asked for a sentence of no less than 8 years in prison. Rousso's defense had argued that she would be better served without prison time, asking for probation or a minimal sentence of 91 days custodial credit. Her therapist spoke about Rousso's past problems and said the defendant was raped, mauled by a dog, teased in school and suffered from depression.
Jaclyn was walking with her family in Highland Park when an intoxicated Rousso drove her father's luxury car into them. Video played by the prosecution during the trial showed Rousso striking the girl and a wall with her car three times. Rousso had "huffed" a computer cleaning agent before the crash on Central Avenue.
Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Stella Veytsel read an impact statement from Jaclyn's mother.
"I hope that this person who is responsible for this accident never forgets my daughter's face. And every time she sees another little girl, that she remembers what she has done and why she is in that place right now. I do not think I can forgive her, but I hope someday my almighty God, almighty, will be able to do so on my behalf," Veytsel said.
