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OGDEN, Utah (AP) -- The 18-year-old woman who ran over a gas station attendant after failing to pay for a $29.51 fill-up has been sentenced to five years to life in prison.
Chrystal Hernandez also was ordered to pay $40,390 in restitution for medical bills incurred by Brad Blair, the attendant she hit on Sept. 14.
Police said Blair was running alongside the car when Hernandez swerved, knocking him down. The vehicle rolled over his legs. Hernandez was arrested four days later.
"Considering what the victim has gone through and will continue to go through, physically and mentally, prison is the only viable option," 2nd District Judge Pam Heffernan said in handing down the sentence Tuesday.
Hernandez had pleaded guilty first-degree felony aggravated robbery last month in a plea bargain in which an additional charge of second-degree felony aggravated assault was dropped.
Blair, 29, suffered leg and head injuries and was hospitalized for about two weeks. He is back at work and continues to receive physical therapy, a family friend said.
Defense attorney Martin Gravis, citing Hernandez' youth and lack of a serious criminal record, asked the judge to consider a diagnostic evaluation at the state prison as an aid to sentencing. Gravis hoped the evaluation might show a lack of criminal bent to his client. Heffernan declined the request.
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Information from: Standard-Examiner, http://www.standard.net
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
