Victims’ family tells of grief

Monday, Nov. 12, 2001 | 9:21 a.m.

From the witness stand Richard Scott Jr. looked into the eyes of the woman whose drunken driving killed his parents and told Melissa Biba: "I'd gladly serve six years in prison to have my parents back."

District Judge Mark Gibbons then sentenced the 22-year-old Illinois woman to six to 20 years in prison for driving under the influence of alcohol, causing the accident that killed Richard Scott Sr., 59, and Carlene Scott, 66, of Sandy Valley, on Jan. 13 on Interstate 15.

"I sit before you crushed and devastated because of you, Melissa," Scott said during Friday's sentencing hearing. Biba sat solemn and appeared attentive after earlier crying through an apology to the Scott family for her actions.

In late August she accepted a plea-bargain that allowed her to plead guilty to two DUI counts and have four other felony counts dismissed.

The Scotts were on I-15 en route to Las Vegas to buy groceries when Biba's car hit their pickup, sending it rolling. Prosecutors alleged that Biba was in a hurry to catch a flight back to Illinois.

Blood tests taken after the accident showed Biba had a blood alcohol content of 0.17. An hour later it had dipped to 0.15. The level considered drunk in Nevada is 0.10.

Scott said the accident not only has taken a toll on his sister, Cynthia Pippin, and the Scotts' grandchildren, but also led to the end of his marriage after less than one year.

He added that while growing up his father avoided taking the family on trips during holiday weekends because he "was afraid of drunk drivers ... The irony is too much for me to deal with."

Two other family members, including Pippin, spoke, saying they hope Biba uses her time in prison to reflect on her deeds and one day returns to society a better person.

Scott, a Los Angeles toy designer, showed Biba an enlarged photo of his parents and said, "Every time you see your parents I want you to see my parents ... My hope is you will be a productive member of society and not a danger to it."

Attorney Dominic Gentile, representing Biba, said his client has taken full responsibility for her actions and while she was released on bond pending sentencing went to Chicago area schools and lectured on the dangers of drinking and driving.

"If you hadn't got behind the wheel this would not have happened," District Judge Mark Gibbons told Biba, calling the incident in which she drove at 85-97 mph, weaving among other cars, "senseless."

Biba, in a brief, tear-filled statement, said it was "not fair that I am alive today." She said she wished she could have changed places with the Scotts.