WISCONSIN RAPIDS (WSAU-WAOW) – A woman who crashed into her boyfriend’s motorcycle, killing him, while she was texting and driving will serve a four year prison term. The sentence also includes five years of extended supervision after release.
30-year-old Jessica Hendricks of Nekoosa was convicted of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle in the July 25, 2015, death of 38-year-old Scott Carlson.
According to the criminal complaint, Hendricks had been texting friends as she and Carlson left The Edge tavern in Nekoosa. As she drove a car and Carlson drove a motorcycle to drop off at the apartment they shared, she slammed into the motorcycle while reading a text message, running over the cycle and Carlson, the complaint said. The crash happened on state Highway 173 near Port Edwards. Carlson was killed at the scene.
A check of Hendricks’ cellphone indicated numerous text messages, including one a few moments prior to the crash.
Before being sentenced, Hendricks, in an emotional statement, apologized to Carlson’s family, a court official said.
She originally was charged with second-degree reckless homicide, but the charge was reduced in a deal with prosecutors for her no contest plea.
