NAVARRE — A 16-year-old girl was sentenced Friday to six months probation after pleading no contest to violation of non-resident driver's license exemption, violation of learner's permit, and running a stop sign.
On May 31, then-15-year-old Briana Henderson was driving alone on Edgewood Drive at about 6:30 p.m. when she turned onto U.S. Highway 98 into the path of another vehicle, according to the Florida Highway Patrol press release.
Alley Catyb, 50, was driving his 77-year-old mother, Margaret Catyb, to Walmart in Gulf Breeze when Henderson's 2004 Dodge Durango hit the left side of his 2012 Nissan Altima. Margaret Catyb was taken to Gulf Breeze Hospital where she later died as a result of her injuries.
Catyb had come to the area from Dracut, Mass., to watch her grandson graduate from Navarre High School.
Henderson and her mother, Apryl Tucker, were arrested in late September for charges related to the crash.
Catyb's family requested that the court not impose a jail sentence on Henderson because of her age.
The Navarre teen's probation is contingent upon her speaking at a victim impact panel at Navarre High School concerning the accident. She also is required to write a 1,000-word paper on the effects of careless driving, perform 75 hours of community service, have no contact with the Catyb family, have no drugs or alcohol, and she is not permitted to operate a vehicle, according to a State Attorney's Office press release.
Henderson's driving privileges were revoked for one year and she is required to pay court fines and any additional restitution.
Tucker was convicted of allowing an unauthorized person to drive and sentenced to serve 60 days in jail and was placed on 6 months probation. Her jail time, though, could be reduced to 20 days if the 37-year-old completes the conditions of her probation including speaking at a victim impact panel at Navarre High with her daughter, performing 50 hours of community service, no contact with the Catyb family, writing a letter of apology to the Catyb family, and not possessing any alcohol or unprescribed drugs.
Tucker also is required to pay fines and court costs, as well as make restitution. Her driver's license has been suspended for six months.