The woman’s defender, Kjetil Ottesen, tells news that the woman’s sentence is 30 days in prison. She is acquitted of having caused the accident which led to the death of Lena Maria Aase (18) on 21 August last year. – My client has been convicted of driving negligently at too high a speed, but the court has acquitted her of the most serious matter – responsibility in relation to the fatal accident itself, the woman’s defender, Kjetil J. Ottesen, told news. This is because the woman explained in court that the cause of the accident was that she skidded when an animal came out in the road before the incident and therefore lost control, the defender states. – She was therefore also acquitted of liability for damages, since the court believes that she has not been grossly negligent, says Ottesen. She has also been disqualified from driving for one year and six months. The fatal accident happened when a group of friends were going to the grocery store on a warm Saturday evening. They are divided into two cars. On the way to Lonevåg on Osterøy, those cars drive fast. Several passers-by react to the speed. Then the woman behind the wheel loses control of the car. She drives into a cliff and crashes. The car ends up on the roof. Her friend Lena Maria Aase (18) loses her life in the accident. Explained that there was an animal in the road The accused woman (19) denied guilt. In court, she said that she lost control of the car because an animal got in the way. Prosecutor Rune Malt challenged her on the speed she was driving, and asked: – Would you have handled the situation better at a lower speed? – I do not know. This would never have happened if I hadn’t run, she replied. In the judgment, the court writes that it cannot be ruled out that an animal came into the road just before the turn, as the woman has told. They therefore write that they consider it highly doubtful that the woman was not negligent even if she kept a markedly too high speed towards the bend. Ottesen says the woman is relieved that the court listened to her explanation. – In that sense, it is right that she is acquitted of negligent homicide, says Ottesen. The friends and fellow students drove in a motorcade in Valestrandsvegen on Osterøy after Lena Maria Aase lost her life in an accident last year. Photo: Synne Lykkebø Hafsaas / news Asked for one year’s imprisonment The prosecutor asked for one year’s unconditional imprisonment for the woman. He also requested that the defendant be deprived of his driving license for four years. – She has not admitted any degree of guilt, although it is obvious that she has taken a conscious risk. It is gross negligence, he said during his proceedings. The woman’s defender, lawyer Kjetil Ottesen, believed that the woman should be acquitted. – When the reason is that she snorts, she is not negligent. She must be acquitted of this, he said. He emphasizes that she feels a moral responsibility for something that has happened. Even though she formally pleads not guilty. – My client is terribly sorry for what has happened, and will carry with him the terrible outcome of this fatal drive for the rest of his life, says Ottesen. The woman hopes that the sentence will stand, he says. Prosecutor Rune Malt asked that the accused woman be sentenced to prison for one year. And that she should be deprived of her driving license for four years. Photo: Synne Lykkebø Hafsaas / news Prosecutor Rune Malt says they disagree with the court’s conclusion. – We will read through the terms of the judgment before we take a final decision on whether to appeal, says Malt. The bereaved are surprised and disappointed by the court’s conclusion, says aid lawyer Cecilie Wallevik. – They do not agree with the court’s assessment. This whole case has been a burden for everyone involved, and it is of course still a burden, she says. Lost friends after the accident There was a depressed and bad atmosphere when the trial took place in Hordaland district court. Many young people had turned up to follow the case. And the accused 19-year-old explained that she had lost contact with several friends after the accident. – I feel that they do not want to have anything to do with me, she said. – It has also been difficult for my client that many people have pre-concluded and thought a lot about the case in the local community and in the comments section, says defender Ottesen. Friends gathered around the scene and laid flowers the day after the fatal accident last year. Photo: Therese Pisani / news
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Lena Maria (18) died on Osterøy – her friend acquitted of negligent homicide – news Vestland
