70-Year-Old Man Gets 10 Days In Jail For Fiery Wreck That Caused Pregnant Woman's Death
SOUTHFIELD (WWJ/AP) - A 70-year-old Oakland County man has been sentenced to 10 days in jail in the death of a pregnant woman whose Jeep Liberty exploded in flames after it was rear-ended on the Lodge Freeway.
Clarence Heath, of Beverly Hills, was sentenced Wednesday after earlier pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of moving violation causing death.
Heath expressed remorse during the hearing, saying he thinks about 23-year-old Kayla White every day and often has nightmares about the November 2014 crash.
"Miss Kayla White was in -- she had her whole life in front of her and I'm approaching the twilight. I would gladly have exchanged my life for hers," he said.
While noting Heath showed genuine remorse, Southfield District Court Judge William Richards also sentenced Heath to the maximum of two years probation with restricted driving privileges and community service.
"It is inappropriate to call this an accident," the judge said. "It was a reckless act of driving."
Heath's Cadillac struck White's vehicle as both were approaching a reduced speed zone on M-10. White's vehicle was pushed into two other vehicles before rolling and catching fire. Despite efforts by several Good Samaritans, White was unable to escape and died trapped inside her burning vehicle. No other injuries were reported.
White, of Ferndale, was one of more than 70 people killed in fires involving older Jeeps with plastic fuel tanks mounted behind the rear axle.
Fiat Chrysler recalled 1.56 million Jeeps in 2013 under pressure from regulators. The remedy is a trailer hitch placed on the rear as extra protection for gas tanks behind the rear axle.
White's Jeep wasn't repaired. It's uncertain if a hitch could have prevented the fire and her death.
Attorney Gerald Thurswell accompanied White's family to court. He repeated his pledge to file a lawsuit against Fiat Chrysler in the months ahead.
Heath "caused the accident, but he did not cause her death," Thurswell said outside court. "The fire caused her death."
MORE: Family Of Pregnant Woman Killed In Jeep Explosion To Sue Chrysler
White was a 2009 graduate of Ferndale High School. According to her Facebook profile, White would have given birth to her first child — a boy she planned to name Braedin Joseph — last December.
Heath will receive one day credit for time already served.
TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.