Defense attorney says 'extraordinary circumstances' exist to sentence Rousso to probation
The defense attorney for a 19-year-old Highland Park woman found guilty last week of being high when she ran over and killed a 5-year-old girl said he believes “extraordinary circumstances” exist for her to be sentenced to probation.
Douglas Zeit said outside a Lake County courtroom Monday that he will ask that Carly Rousso be sentenced to periodic imprisonment or probation rather than prison for killing Jaclyn Santos-Sacramento on Sept. 3, while the girl was walking with her family on the sidewalk in the 700 block of Central Avenue.
He was in court Monday to turn in Rousso's passport, as requested by Judge James Booras, who last week ruled she was guilty of four counts of aggravated driving under the influence in the case.
Zeit would not discuss details about the circumstances, except to say he would present his reasoning to Booras at Rousso's sentencing hearing July 10.
“It clearly fits the category of extraordinary circumstances,” he said. “Her situation is similar to other cases where probation was awarded. She also has a complete lack of a criminal background.”
Rousso faces 3 to 14 years in prison. However, the law states, a person found guilty of the crime can be sentenced to probation if “extraordinary circumstances” exist.
Authorities said Rousso was “huffing” computer dust cleaner before the crash. She was driving east on Central in her family-own Lexus when she swerved across four lanes of traffic, and hit Jaclyn, her mother, and two brothers. The girl's mother and brothers were injured, but survived.
Rousso told police she was a drug addict and had ingested the cleaner just before the crash.
She is free on bail, but was ordered to relinquish her passport to the court.
Both sides are due back in court June 26.