Traverse City Record-Eagle

Grand Traverse County

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May 29, 2009

Driver sentenced in fatal crash

BY ART BUKOWSKI

TRAVERSE CITY -- Sandy Raymond's friends, family and former co-workers wept in a courtroom gallery as a shackled Jillian Kerby turned to address them.

Kerby, 23, sobbed and expressed remorse for causing an August traffic crash that killed Raymond, a popular barber who worked for many years at Robertson's Hair Center in downtown Traverse City.

"I just want to say to the family I'm so sorry; I'm so, so sorry," she said. "... I've never had to deal with anything so hard, every day, and it will go on for the rest of my life. If I could give anything to take it back, I would."

Kerby, in court to be sentenced on a charge of attempted operating while intoxicated causing death, later said she knew her impending prison term wouldn't reverse their loss.

"No matter what happens, I still come out better, and no amount of time can make up for it," she said. "I wish it could."

Circuit Judge Philip E. Rodgers, who called Raymond a "truly innocent person" who was "loved by many, many people," seemed to agree with that assessment.

"You're right, it doesn't matter what I do here," he said. "I can't bring Ms. Raymond back; I can't make this family whole."

Rodgers sentenced Kerby to a minimum of four years in prison. She pleaded guilty last month.

Kerby's vehicle crossed the center line on County Road 633 in Grand Traverse County's Grant Township and slammed head-on into Raymond's car at about 8:45 a.m. on Aug. 17, investigators said. Grand Traverse County Assistant Prosecutor Bob Cooney said during sentencing that Kerby's vehicle was going about 80 mph at the time of the crash, and she told police she drank the night before.

Raymond's family chose not to speak at the sentencing. Kerby's attorney, Jesse L. Williams, referenced several "harsh" letters sent to Rodgers by Raymond's family and friends.

"Jillian and I read them together, and she said that she deserves everything they said," Williams said.

Raymond's fiance, Scott Rudd, said Raymond's death marked a "huge loss" for the area.

"She set a precedent for your citizen that excels in the community," he said after the sentencing.

Kerby pleaded guilty in 2004 to felony counts of unarmed robbery and conspiracy to unarmed robbery tied to the robbery of a Subway restaurant. She spent time in prison and was on parole at the time of the crash.

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