Lorrie Deann Bennett, 63, received a two-year jail sentence in Plumas County on Sept. 18. The sentence followed her conviction for felony manslaughter and drunk driving connected to a fatal accident on Feb. 23.
Bennett pleaded no contest on July 24 to vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence causing injury, and driving with a blood alcohol level over 0.08 percent causing injury.
Judge Douglas Prouty denied Bennett probation. He pointed to the severity of her offenses and her blood alcohol level of 0.22 percent, nearly three times the legal limit.
The accident happened near a bike lane on East Main Street at 10:21 p.m. Victoria Pearl Rollisson, 24, was walking east when Bennett struck her from behind with a 2020 Honda Passport. Rollisson died at the scene from multiple blunt-force injuries.
Plumas County District Attorney David Hollister noted that another driver had just avoided hitting Rollisson. This driver was sober, highlighting how alcohol impaired Bennett’s ability to react.
Rollisson’s family spoke before sentencing. Her father, Robert Estrada, said, “Victoria was barely starting to bloom” when her life ended. Her grandmother, Julie Linford, called Rollisson a talented artist and asked the judge to jail Bennett and revoke her license permanently.
Other relatives described the pain the family endured. They remembered Rollisson as a bright, loving young woman beginning to explore her artistic talents.
Bennett’s attorney shared letters from community members praising her character. Bennett apologized quietly, saying, “I am terribly sorry. I can’t go back. I wish I could.”
After sentencing, a bailiff handcuffed Bennett and took her to jail. Judge Prouty ordered her to start serving her sentence immediately.
