Woman sentenced over near-fatal crash

Hylton convicted of reckless driving

SANDPOINT - A Bonner County woman convicted of reckless driving in a collision which nearly killed a Clark Fork motorcyclist was sentenced on Friday.

Judge Barbara Buchanan imposed a suspended, six-month jail sentence and ordered Lucille Elaine Hylton to pay a half-million dollars in restitution, court records show. Up to $400,000 of the restitution is being covered by insurance, leaving Hylton personally responsible for $100,000.

Hylton, 70, was convicted of reckless driving at the misdemeanor level following a one-day jury trial last month.

The charge resulted from a Sept. 16, 2007, crash on Highway 200 at Shingle Mill Road. An Idaho State Police report said Hylton was eastbound on the highway when she turned into the path of an oncoming motorcycle while turning onto Shingle Mill.

Wayne Becker was headed west on a Harley-Davidson when he was struck. Hylton's Chevrolet Blazer drove over the motorcyle partially, which threw Becker off the bike, the ISP report said.

Hylton reportedly told police she did not see Becker coming down the highway.

Becker, 47, was gravely hurt and flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he nearly succumbed to his injuries. Becker suffered severe blood loss, facial injures, a lacerated liver and artery in his pelvis, a shattered pelvis and a broken hip, according to court documents.

Becker's left leg had to be amputated during the ordeal and his medical expenses exceed $700,000, according to a restitution document.

At trial, several state's witnesses testified that they did not see Hylton activate her turn signal or take evasive action immediately before the

collision. One witness said she saw Hylton apply her brakes, records show.

The defense suggested Becker was speeding and called a witness who testified being passed aggressively by Becker just before the crash, according to court documents.

Jurors, however, found Hylton at fault for the crash.

Becker and his wife of 23 years, Michelle, called for Hylton to be stripped of her license to drive. The prosecution entered into evidence at sentencing a Twin Falls Police report documenting a failure-to-yield crash Hylton was involved in several months before her collision with Wayne Becker.

Michelle Becker submitted a detailed account of watching her husband cling to life while doctors presented her with do-not-resuscitate orders and bills piled up. In his written statement, Wayne Becker expressed guilt over the burden he is placing on his family and lamented the loss of his ability to provide and take part in the myriad outdoor pursuits he enjoyed.

“As for me, life has ended as I knew it,” Wayne Becker wrote.

Hylton, a divorced retiree who lives on Social Security income, asked the court not to revoke her license as it's her only way to get to her doctors' in Coeur d'Alene.

Buchanan forbid Hylton from driving until she submits proof of a doctor's examination, an eye examination and completion of an approved driver's education course, court documents indicate.