TRAVERSE CITY -- A woman who caused a traffic crash that killed a local barber could spend time in prison.
Jillian L. Kerby was behind the wheel of a vehicle that crossed the center line and struck an oncoming car on August 17. The crash killed Sandy Raymond, a longtime barber at Robertson's Hair Center in downtown Traverse City.
Kerby, 23, pleaded guilty Monday to a count of attempted operating while impaired causing death. She pleaded guilty as a habitual offender and could face up to 10 years in prison at her May 29 sentencing.
Authorities dismissed counts of negligent homicide and operating while intoxicated causing death in exchange for the plea.
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., investigators said.
A Michigan State Police accident reconstructionist determined Kerby was driving above the speed limit and lost control of her vehicle, court records show. She told police she drank alcohol the night prior to the crash.
She agreed Monday with 13th Circuit Judge Philip E. Rodgers' statement that she was impaired by alcohol and traveling "well in excess of the speed limit" at the time of the collision.
Raymond's family declined comment. Jesse L. Williams, Kerby's attorney, said she's remorseful.
"I want the world to know that Ms. Kerby is extremely sorry for what happened," Williams said. "It's something she's going to have to live with for the rest of her life."
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 was on parole at the time of the crash.
