Woman gets probation in traffic death

By Matt Pordum

Tuesday, March 8, 2005 | 9:30 a.m.

A 19-year-old woman who had alcohol and prescription painkillers in her system when she drove through a red light and struck another vehicle, killing its 69-year-old driver, was sentenced to probation Monday.

Rachel Braund previously had pleaded guilty to one count of felony reckless driving for the August 2004 crash at Flamingo Road and Durango Drive that killed Ling Zee.

District Judge Sally Loehrer followed the recommendation of the Department of Parole and Probation as she issued Braund a suspended sentence of 12 to 30 months in prison and placed her on three years' probation.

The judge also ordered Braund to serve two days of community service each month for the next year.

Deputy District Attorney Bruce Nelson said Braund had no criminal history at the time of the deadly collision. As part of the plea bargain, the district attorney's office agreed not to oppose probation, Nelson said.

After the crash, police said they measured Braund's blood-alcohol level at 0.02 percent. That's equal to roughly one beer, Nelson said. To allow for use of mouthwash and cold medicines, Nevada law permits a blood-alcohol level of up to 0.02 for people under 21.

In addition, she had taken the painkiller hydrocodone, authorities said. At the time of the crash, Metro investigators said that she had taken double the prescribed dosage of the painkiller. However, since it was a prescribed drug, there is no legal limit, Nelson said.

The prosecutor said Zee's family was told Braund would most likely be sentenced to probation and the family said they didn't wish to speak at the sentencing. The family could not be reached for comment Monday.

Braund's attorney, John Spilotro, said Braund "did something stupid and has taken responsibility and stepped forward." He said Braund was "the all-American girl" who was a cheerleader and Millennium Scholarship winner.

Clark County School District records show Braund attended Orr Middle School from 1996 to 1997. District records then indicate that she was withdrawn for home schooling.

Braund told police she had mixed prescription painkillers with alcohol before she got behind the wheel of her Chrysler PT Cruiser about 2 a.m. to chase after her boyfriend, with whom she'd been having an argument.

Police said Braund was traveling about 45 mph, the posted speed limit on northbound Durango Drive when she drove through the red light without braking. Her car broadsided Zee's Honda Accord with enough force to flip it several times. Zee, who was on her way home with some groceries, was not wearing her seat belt, police said.

Sun reporters

Mary Manning and Emily Richmond contributed to this story.