BANGOR, Maine — A local woman who was driving on Main Street when she struck and injured an 85-year-old Hampden woman crossing the road on the morning of Sept. 21 pleaded guilty Tuesday to operating after suspension.
Sara Vitko, 24, of Bangor was sentenced to 14 days in jail, all of it suspended. She also must perform 75 hours of community service over the next year and pay a $250 fine. If she does not comply with conditions, Vitko would have to serve the jail time.
Vitko waived indictment and pleaded guilty to the charge Tuesday. Her license was suspended at midnight on Sept. 20, 2014, because she had not provided the Secretary of State’s office with proof of insurance.
The mother of four, who works 50 hours a week, apologized to the victim and her family.
“Words can’t describe how sorry I am,” she said facing the victim. “I was irresponsible and I hurt you and your family and caused you a lot of pain. I’m terribly, terribly sorry this is happening still and I hope your family can get through this.”
Mary Hurley was walking across the street from Dunkin’ Donuts toward the waterfront to take part in the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure when she was struck by Vitko’s vehicle. She told Superior Court Justice Ann Murray that she broke her hand, shattered her elbow and injured her shoulder. She described Vitko as a “distracted driver” and said she should suffer harsher consequences.
In a plea agreement with the Penobscot County district attorney’s office, one count of driving to endanger, a felony, and failure to appear, a misdemeanor, were dismissed.
The victim’s son, Mike Hurley of Belfast, told Murray that the criminal justice system appeared to be allowing drivers who strike pedestrians to become “a protected class.”
“The problem is that people in cars are a protected class and these courts, the police, and the people’s representatives are enabling and protecting them as evidenced today by how my mother has been harmed,” he said. “First by the driver and now by the legal system she respected and trusted.”
Assistant District Attorney Susan Pope told Murray that she could not prove Vitko was criminally negligent for a felony conviction. Pope also told Murray that Vitko stopped, called 911 and attended to the victim.
Vitko is the mother of a boy who suffered burns when her former boyfriend placed him in a dryer and turned it on as a punishment, according to court documents.
Adam Morton last month rejected a plea agreement that called for a sentence of eight years with all but two years suspended followed by three years of probation. Morton, 28, of Berlin, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault in January. A new sentencing date has not been set.
Watch bangordailynews.com for updates.