More than a year after Kerri Ann Cox struck a vehicle on Detroit Street, Warsaw, killing mo-ped rider William Beigh, 61, Warsaw, Cox was sentenced Thursday.
Cox, 35, received a total of 10 years in prison, with six years served followed by four years suspended, but on probation.
Cox received seven years in the Indiana Department of Corrections for count one, causing the death of another person when operating a motor vehicle, a Class C felony. Of the seven year sentence four and a half years would be served, with two-and-a-half years suspended and on probation.
For count two, possession of a narcotic drug, a Class D felony, she was sentenced to three years in the IDOC. Of those three years, one-and-a-half years would be served, with one-and-a-half years suspended and on probation.
Additionally Cox was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $114,428.62 to the estate of James Beigh. As per the plea deal the state of Indiana will allow Cox to use her cash bond of $10,000 towards the restitution amount.
As per the plea agreement, Kosciusko County Superior Court III Judge Joe V. Sutton dismissed the remaining two counts of possession of marijuana, a Class A misdemeanor, and possession of a controlled substance, a Class D felony. In addition Cox will lose her right to drive for five years.
Cox will be allowed to remain under a local sentence for 60 days in order to apply for work release. The conditions for work release is paying $125 per week towards restitution.
On July 30, 2011, Cox, who was driving a 2004 Nissan Pathfinder, failed to stop at the intersection of Center and Detroit streets, Warsaw. As a result she slammed into a vehicle driven by Roger E. Middleton, 1603 Dot Street, Warsaw. Middleton’s vehicle then hit the mo-ped that Beigh was riding, causing him to hit the windshield of Middleton’s vehicle.
Beigh was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital and later transported to Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, in critical condition. Beigh died just before 9:30 p.m. at Parkview Hospital.
Beigh was not wearing a helmet.
Investigators found that Cox had methadone, a schedule II narcotic, on her person at the time of the collision. Additionally investigators found that Cox tested positive for cannabinoids in her system at the time of the collision. Cox admitted in court that she had used marijuana in the days before the collision.
