DUI Highway 1 tragedy, conviction and sentencing

The Daily Journal, 9/17/16, "Woman sentenced to six years for fatal DUI crash." 

"A Daly City woman convicted of vehicular manslaughter for killing a man while driving drunk in Pacifica was sentenced to six years in state prison Friday (9/16/16).  Ana Lilian Reepen, 42, was convicted after a 12-day trial last July of killing 54-year-old Bruce Bernor of Pacifica. Prosecutors asked for the maximum 10-year sentence, said District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe, but after hearing from the defendant San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Hill opted for the lesser sentence.

“I hate myself for what I did,” Reepen reportedly told the court. “I have to live with this every day. I am so sorry to the family.” She also said she prays for the victim’s family every day and for her own forgiveness, according to her attorney, James Campbell.

Wagstaffe said the victim’s family plans to pursue a civil claim against Reepen, who prosecutors said had a 0.21 percent blood-alcohol content, more than twice the legal limit. Bernor was killed on the evening of July 25, 2015, when Reepen turned onto Highway 1 going the wrong way, according to prosecutors. One car swerved out of her way before she collided head-on with Bernor, who died about two hours later."

Related articles. Accident Data Center, "Bruce Bernor, 54, killed and Ana Reepen, 41, arrested after head-on car wreck on State Highway 1 in Pacifica, CA." "Accident date, Saturday, July 25, 2015." The Mercury News/Special to the Pacifica Tribune, 9/16/15, updated 8/12/16, "Bruce Ross Bernor, 3/30/61 - 7/25/15."  The Mercury News/Jane Northrop, 7/28/15, updated 8/12/16, "Popular hair stylist killed by alleged DUI driver."  Fix Pacifica  reprint, 7/26/16, "Head-on Highway 1 crash, updated."  Note photograph from ABC7 news, 7/26/15.

Posted by Kathy Meeh