Local woman sentenced for texting fatality
Published 12:27 pm Wednesday, April 25, 2012
A 23-year-old New Richland woman was sentenced last week to 120 days in jail for texting while driving — and ultimately causing a crash that killed a man.
According to court records, Erica Ann Nelson will complete 60 of those days in the Waseca County Jail, starting May 6. The remainder will be spent in Sentence to Service.
Nelson pleaded guilty in February in Waseca County District Court to one count of criminal vehicular homicide in connection with the death of Ronald Berschman of Buffalo Center, Iowa, on Aug. 29, 2010.
According to court documents, Nelson was driving eastbound on Highway 30 east of New Richland, when she reportedly crossed over the center line and hit westbound Berschman, who was riding a 2010 Harley-Davidson.
Berschman later died from injuries he sustained in the crash.
The roadway is a two-lane undivided highway with a posted speed limit of 55 mph. Nelson was found to have been traveling 73 mph, according to the Waseca County News.
The newspaper reported Nelson made a text message at 2:02 p.m. that day that lasted for one minute. This coincided with the radio log for Waseca County Dispatch that stated the first entry for the crash was made at 2:03 p.m.
In addition to the jail time and community service, Nelson will be on supervised probation for 10 years.
Nelson’s probationary conditions include not using or possessing alcohol or drugs, obtaining permission before leaving the state, submitting a DNA sample and not entering bars or liquor stores — except while working — among others.
She must attend a Mothers Against Drunk Driving impact panel every August and not text or talk on a cell phone while driving.
If Nelson violates her probation, she faces a 41-month term in prison.