PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An elderly Portland woman who had no obvious impairment and no history of traffic infractions has pleaded no contest to felony hit and run in a wrong-way crash that killed a pedestrian.
The Oregonian reports (http://is.gd/px7xco)that a paramedic who checked Helen Elizabeth Quimiro — then 87 — an hour after the April 2011 crash said she appeared fine.
But the woman told investigators she knew she’d hit someone and driven away.
Judge John Wittmayer agreed Wednesday not to send the now 88-year-old woman to prison, giving her three years of probation and 40 hours of community service. She was ordered to pay about $3,000 in burial expenses to the family of Mary Anne Turner. Quimiro also agreed to surrender her driving privileges. She apologized to the victim’s family.
At least two drivers said Quimiro seemed oblivious as cars swerved out of her way on a northeast Portland street. She also hit three parked cars.
