Woman takes plea bargain in car crash that killed boy

Bill Gang

Friday, March 27, 1998 | 10:19 a.m.

The woman who caused a two-car collision that killed an 11-year-old boy and seriously injured two other children has pleaded guilty in a deal that likely will result in a four-year stay behind bars.

Cheryl Lynn Reilly, 34, unemotionally entered her guilty plea Thursday to a single DUI count in the plea bargain that dictates what the sentence will be and requires the dismissal of two other DUI charges from the same incident.

Reilly told District Judge Michael Douglas that she was under the influence of alcohol when she caused the accident that killed Cody Vesely. The boy was one of three passengers inside a 1994 Ford Explorer that was struck by Reilly's car on the afternoon of Feb. 8, 1997, at Russell Road and Lamb Boulevard.

Witnesses told police that Reilly was driving her 1995 Toyota Camry recklessly and at a high rate of speed when it slammed into the sport-utility vehicle driven by Fay Bradford, 47.

Vesely and Bradford's 11-year-old daughter, Irene, were thrown from the Explorer. Vesely died at the scene, Metro Police said.

Reilly, the Bradfords and Julie Koch, also 11, were transported to University Medical Center.

While Reilly technically faces a maximum sentence of eight to 20 years in prison, the plea bargain dictates that she receive no more than a four-to-10-year term. She would have to serve a minimum of four years before becoming eligible for parole. Probation is not permitted under felony drunken driving laws.

If Douglas gives her more than the stipulated sentence, she would have the right to withdraw her guilty plea and stand trial on the original charges.

However, if Reilly chose that option and was convicted of the three DUI counts, she could face a maximum of 24 to 60 years in prison.

Sentencing is set for May 21.