Driver avoids jail time in deadly MN crash that claimed life of Gustavus hockey player
(FOX 9) - The driver who caused a deadly wreck in western Minnesota, which claimed the life of her Gustavus hockey teammate, will not serve any time behind bars after taking a plea deal.
What we know
Gianna Gasparini only faced a count of reckless driving in the case, so it's not surprising she avoided serving time, compared to a more serious charge like criminal vehicular homicide.
The maximum sentence for reckless driving is less than a year behind bars and cases are usually pleaded down.
Under the plea deal, Gasparini was granted a stay of adjudication. Meaning, if she stays out of trouble for the next year and pays $3,000 in fines, her care will be dismissed.
What happened?
Gasparini admitted to running a stop sign along Highway 40 at Highway 29 in Chippewa County – about 25 miles west of Willmar – on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023.
Gasparini's vehicle collided with a van at the intersection.
According to the criminal complaint, witnesses said it appeared Gasparini's vehicle was traveling too fast as it approached the four-way stop. However, another person in Gasparini's vehicle claimed they were traveling at a much lower speed than what witnesses estimated.
Later, a crash reconstruction report determined Gasparini was traveling about 78 mph before the crash and was going between 55 mph and 65 mph when the crash occurred.
Troopers ultimately determined speed and the failure to stop at the sign caused the crash.
Who was killed?
Nineteen-year-old Jori Lynn Jones was killed in the wreck. Gasparini and the two other young women in the vehicle suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
All four women were players on the Gustavus hockey team.
The woman in the vehicle that was struck by Gasparini suffered non-life-threatening injuries, police said.