Lorrie Deann Bennett, 62, of Quincy, pleaded no contest to felony manslaughter on July 24. The charge comes after a February 23 accident that took the life of Victoria Pearl Rollisson, 24.
Investigators found Bennett’s blood alcohol level at 0.22% during the crash, nearly three times California’s legal limit of 0.08%.
Bennett appeared in Plumas County Superior Court before Judge Douglas Prouty. She faced three charges: vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated without gross negligence, driving under the influence causing injury, and driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher causing injury.
During the brief hearing, Bennett spoke softly but clearly when responding to the judge’s questions. She did not contest the vehicular manslaughter charge and entered a no contest plea.
The judge dismissed the other two charges as part of an agreement with the District Attorney’s office tied to her plea on the manslaughter count.
Bennett faces up to four years in state prison and a $10,000 fine. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 18 at 10 a.m. Before sentencing, Judge Prouty will review an investigation report that could affect the case.
Bennett declined to comment after the hearing.
Plumas County District Attorney David Hollister called the accident a “horrible, senseless tragedy.” He extended sympathy to the victim’s family and said the conviction matches the seriousness of Bennett’s actions.
The crash occurred at the intersection of State Route 70 and Mill Creek Road in East Quincy. The California Highway Patrol reported Bennett was driving eastbound on Highway 70 when she struck Rollisson. Rollisson died at the scene.
Bennett retired from the Plumas County Information Technology Department. At the time of the accident, she worked part time as a retired annuitant for the Plumas County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office.
