A Macomb County woman has been sentenced for causing a fatal traffic collision while using her phone's GPS. Courtney Ellise Niezgoda, 28, will serve eight months in jail and undergo three years of probation following the crash that occurred on February 12, 2024. The incident took the life of 63-year-old Tina Yaney, as reported by ClickOnDetroit.
During the sentencing, Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido emphasized the gravity of the situation. "This case is a tragic reminder that choices behind the wheel can have deadly consequences," Lucido said in a statement obtained by FOX 2 Detroit. Niezgoda's actions, which included running a red light on M-53 at the intersection of 32 Mile, directly caused Yaney's death. According to The Detroit News, Niezgoda pleaded no contest to a felony charge of reckless driving causing death, a crime that could have seen her imprisoned for up to 15 years.
The judgment handed down by Judge James M. Maceroni is the outcome of "a thorough and well-reasoned analysis of the facts and circumstances of the case," Lucido explained, as noted by FOX 2 Detroit. As part of her sentence, Niezgoda is also required to perform 100 hours of community service while on probation. The courtroom reportedly played host to around 60 attendees, among them Yaney's friends and family members as well as Niezgoda's supporters. Family members of the victim read statements during the sentencing, detailing the profound impact Yaney's death has had on them.
Despite the prosecutor's office touting the fair consideration of the case details, Niezgoda's sentence has prompted dialogues about the penalties for distracted driving offenses. The collision was the result of Niezgoda failing to observe a red traffic signal, a mistake leading to immediate and irreversible loss. Yaney had to be extricated from her vehicle and later succumbed to her injuries in the hospital, as per ClickOnDetroit. Niezgoda herself suffered multiple injuries but was released from the hospital two days following the crash.
