Woman found guilty in fatal 'nail polish' crash

[Popeye]

Last year, early in the month of May, we lost one of our own because a women painting her fingernails wasn't paying attention.

Pulled from the Chicago Tribune.

After hearing two days of testimony, a Lake County jury has convicted a Morris woman who was painting her nails while driving when she struck and killed a motorcyclist at a red light.

Lora Hunt was found guilty of reckless homicide in the death of Anita Zaffke in Lake Zurich on May 2, 2009.

During his closing argument, Hunt's lawyer said Hunt has admitted that painting her nails while driving was a "stupid, stupid thing." But Jeff Tomczak argued that it was no different than eating a sandwich, talking on a cell phone or tending to a baby.
"She was negligent, not reckless," Tomczak said. "She can't be found guilty."

But Assistant State's Atty. Mike Mermel insisted that Hunt had acted recklessly.

"It is not the same as biting a sandwich. . .it's a voluntary disablement," he said. "She might as well have been in the back seat making a sandwich." 

Tomczak argued that to find Hunt guilty, the jury must conclude that she willfully acted recklessly and knew that her actions would hurt someone.

"You would have to decide that Mrs. Hunt got into that car and said, 'You know what, I don't care,  I'm getting these nails done and I don't care if I hurt someone.'"

Mermel said Hunt's decision to paint her nails did result in Zaffke death and did constitute reckless behavior.


http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/05/jury-deliberations-begin-in-fatal-nail-polish-crash.html

[MP]

I volunteer the rope to hang her!

Sure hope she gets more than a couple weeks serving food at a soup kitchen.

MP

[RoadKill]

I volunteer the rope to hang her!

Sure hope she gets more than a couple weeks serving food at a soup kitchen.

MP

That was probably the plea-bargain they offered her in the beginning,Now she will have Probation and a criminal record to go along with the couple weeks at the soup kitchen! 

[NITRO]

I've been following this one for a while. It's just sick how little some people actually think about what their actions might cause.

[sugerbear]

passed a St. Charles county cop(#276) driving west on 70 yesterday weaving slightly in the middle lane

nobody wanted to pass a county cop, i got up beside her. she was eating a hot dog with her right hand

talking on her pretty pink(with rinestones) cell phone with her left, and yep you guessed it, driving with

her knees!!

i honked the horn and shook my finger(1st) at her. she dropped the dog, slammed the cell phone shut,

and gave me that "who me!!??"  look.
 

if she had seen me do that, well..................

[Sonny]

It's pretty sad when someone gets in a car or truck and is more worried about almost anything other than operating the vehical.  I ride 31 miles everyday to work one way.  And many days out of nothing but aggravation I start counting people driving while either talking on there phone and or texting.

So far the most I have counted was 41 drivers talking on th phone and or texting while driving on the interstate.   Technology is only great when used properly?

[big turkey]

If I sneezed and hit somone.

If I dropped hot coffee in my lap and I hit someone.

If I was dialing a cell phone and hit someone.

If my brakes failed due to a bad mechanic and hit someone.

No body would be convicted.

This woman fit a stereotype of a Ditzy Woman painting her nails while late for work.

It struck a cord or nerve and the jury could not let it go.

Other wise a Free Woman. The riders bad luck and now her's.

It won't stop a similar crime and some kid now has to make his own sandwiches before school

and walk to school instead of being driven by his mother, well on second thought riding wiht that

woman would not be better thing after all.

Big Al

[alph]

I am soooooo glad they found her guilty!  The sad thing is that in two years she'll be out on parole, that is if she's even sentenced to any jail time!

[big turkey]

What if it was your wife or Daughter driving, Would you want them to go to Jail?

A little perspective is always a good thing.

But for the Grace of God There Goes I.

Just Saying is all.

Big Al

[MP]

So, AL

You think it is OK to not pay attention while you are driving?  No punishment for killing someone?  What about drunk drivers?  They kill people.  They have kids.  They have families.  Should they be free to kill who they please?  No punishment though, cannot take them away from little Johnny.

What about robberies?  No one even gets hurt there.  Just money.  By your reasoning, let them go.  Cannot hurt their kids by taking mommy or daddy away.

I put up with your rants about CT's.  Each to your own.  I do what I want, you do what you want.  I do not preach to anyone about them, I do not try to convert anyone either way.

But when you say it is OK to kill someone by TERRIBLE driving, you lose me there. You say it will stop no one in the future if she is punished.  I respectfully disagree.

Say she, and the next 100 people who kill someone by distracted driving get 10 years in prison before parole.  I know that will get a lot of peoples attention.  Hopefully they will say, I cannot do this.  I do not want to spend the next 10 years in prison.  So, I will do my nails BEFORE I drive.

There is a difference between willful distraction, ie. nail polish, reading a paper, etc.  and having something happen while driving.  ie spilling coffee.

By your reasoning, no one should be punished for any crime, because it will not stop anyone else from doing it again.   Will punishment stop everyone from doing it?  Certainly not.

Will it stop a number of people?  I certainly think so, although you do not.  We disagree.

MP

[alph]

So, AL

You think it is OK to not pay attention while you are driving?  No punishment for killing someone?  What about drunk drivers?  They kill people.  They have kids.  They have families.  Should they be free to kill who they please?  No punishment though, cannot take them away from little Johnny.

What about robberies?  No one even gets hurt there.  Just money.  By your reasoning, let them go.  Cannot hurt their kids by taking mommy or daddy away.

I put up with your rants about CT's.  Each to your own.  I do what I want, you do what you want.  I do not preach to anyone about them, I do not try to convert anyone either way.

But when you say it is OK to kill someone by TERRIBLE driving, you lose me there. You say it will stop no one in the future if she is punished.  I respectfully disagree.

Say she, and the next 100 people who kill someone by distracted driving get 10 years in prison before parole.  I know that will get a lot of peoples attention.  Hopefully they will say, I cannot do this.  I do not want to spend the next 10 years in prison.  So, I will do my nails BEFORE I drive.

There is a difference between willful distraction, ie. nail polish, reading a paper, etc.  and having something happen while driving.  ie spilling coffee.

By your reasoning, no one should be punished for any crime, because it will not stop anyone else from doing it again.   Will punishment stop everyone from doing it?  Certainly not.

Will it stop a number of people?  I certainly think so, although you do not.  We disagree.

MP

NO!  I didn’t say that!!  And as for car tires, I don’t have one yet ‘cause my cycle tire hasn’t worn out yet!! 

MP, I thought you were my friend?  What gives bro?  Didn’t mean to get you ticked off, but, seriously, she’ll probably only serve the minimal time in jail!  It’s not my fault that the judicial system is full of pansies!!

[MP]

The reply is to Big Al, not you alph!  LOL

MP

[Popeye]

I will post again when we hear about her sentence.

I for one am tired or bikers being killed in accidents and the one who caused the accident gets a slap
on the wrist.

I don't believe Mrs. Hunt intended to kill anyone that day but she was clearing not focused on driving her car and paying attention. I feel for her but I feel more for the Zaffke family.

Yes, I hope Mrs. Hunt does the 5 years but don't think she will get it.

[alph]

you know, reading the article, i can understand mrs hunts view point (alittle).  but still, if the vehicle infront of you changes lanes to the left, and you're approching a light, wouldn't you have noticed that the big SUV in the left lane was stopping for a reason? 

this lady didn't see the cycle 'cause she was planning on zipping by the yellow light and passing on the right.  she wasn't only guilty of driving initenitively, she was driving recklessly. 

she's a grandmother of eight.  who cares.  Mrs Zaffke is the victum, and no were is it mentioned how many kids or grandchildren she had.

[valkmc]

I had a similar accident happen to me in 1984. I stopped at a 4 way and the older man behind me failed to stop. He was in an early 80's Impala and admitted he did not even touch his brakes. He was reading directions going about 50 miles per hour when he hit me. I am alive  because that morning I got in my 1979 F150 instead of getting on my CB750F. I had some major head trauma from smashing the back window out of the truck with the back of my head. His insurance company paid dearly and he paid the rest when his coverage ran out. I never considered him a criminal in the sense he new what he was doing and intended to hurt me. I just considered him an a$$hole and sued the crap out of him. Of course even though I went through a lot I was not killed.
People who read, text, put on finger nail polish while driving , etc. are stupid and dangerous but I think they should pay in civil court.   

[roboto65]

I had a similar accident happen to me in 1984. I stopped at a 4 way and the older man behind me failed to stop. He was in an early 80's Impala and admitted he did not even touch his brakes. He was reading directions going about 50 miles per hour when he hit me. I am alive  because that morning I got in my 1979 F150 instead of getting on my CB750F. I had some major head trauma from smashing the back window out of the truck with the back of my head. His insurance company paid dearly and he paid the rest when his coverage ran out. I never considered him a criminal in the sense he new what he was doing and intended to hurt me. I just considered him an a$$hole and sued the crap out of him. Of course even though I went through a lot I was not killed.
People who read, text, put on finger nail polish while driving , etc. are stupid and dangerous but I think they should pay in civil court. 

I have been thinking about this for a while since this came up and I agree with what has been said by valkmc. I think of it this way...             I chose to get on my Fat Girl which provides me no protection whatsoever and I know that ANY accident involving my bike and something bigger than me is going to hurt me or kill me thats the nature of the beast.  Just like a stuntman doing his job one misjudge by ANY of his crew and he may die but guess what he knows that when he does any gag does that stop him from doing it no.


Guess what I am saying is it is a dangerous world and I chose to put my butt on something that gives me no protection from big metal objects and stupid people I know populate this world.

Who's gonna pay for the guy who got cut in half by the wire barricade we all know it is no good and will kill you who came up with it they are at fault for putting it there.

Should they be held responsible hell yes!!!! Should they go to prison for the rest of there lives NO but they should have to pay be it thru educating the public or fines and restitution for the familys involved. 

Ok stepping down let the HATE fly 

[Jabba]

The world is full of inconsiderate, dangerous drivers.  We know it.

We have been unable to stop the drunks.  We're not gonna be able to stop the stoopid.

Why not put the same financial resources into a public education campaign like they do for drunk driving?  They are starting to pound the texting while driving thing... but I have to admit that I do some of that stuff.

Hell I am distracted sometimes swhen I am on my Valk.  How can you not be?  The sheer joy, and exhilaration of it is distracting.

If it was my grandma... I'd not want her in jail.  She won't ever do it again, and putting her in jail isn't gonna make anyone else NOT do it.

Jabba

[valkmc]

The world is full of inconsiderate, dangerous drivers.  We know it.

We have been unable to stop the drunks.  We're not gonna be able to stop the stoopid.

Why not put the same financial resources into a public education campaign like they do for drunk driving?  They are starting to pound the texting while driving thing... but I have to admit that I do some of that stuff.

Hell I am distracted sometimes swhen I am on my Valk.  How can you not be?  The sheer joy, and exhilaration of it is distracting.

If it was my grandma... I'd not want her in jail.  She won't ever do it again, and putting her in jail isn't gonna make anyone else NOT do it.

Jabba

I am with you, putting her in prison is bad for society in a money cost kind of way. In the state of Florida it cost $35,000 per year to keep one inmate incarcerated. We all ready have over 100,000 inmates in the Florida dept of Corrections prison system. Bad use of tax dollars in my mind. I would rather see the 35,000 go to the riders family than to lock up someone who has most likely learned her lesson about finger nail painting. That is not to say she has about other things like texting etc.

[Jabba]

She'll have to live with it forever.  Believe me. 

I was involved in a fatal accident when I was 17.  I was doing nothing wrong.  I was even driving the speed limit.  I struck and likked a 5 year old boy.  I knew grom the begenning, that I did all I could do.  In fact, my initial plan was to wreck the car into the woods to avoid him, but then there was another one that direction.  I had to try to go the other way...and just couldn't get that way far enough.

I think about that once in a while.  Had I been doing something wrong at all it'd be a lot worse.

I was on the way to the hospital to visit my mom.

Jabba

[Popeye]

She'll have to live with it forever.  Believe me. 

I was involved in a fatal accident when I was 17.  I was doing nothing wrong.  I was even driving the speed limit.  I struck and likked a 5 year old boy.  I knew grom the begenning, that I did all I could do.  In fact, my initial plan was to wreck the car into the woods to avoid him, but then there was another one that direction.  I had to try to go the other way...and just couldn't get that way far enough.

I think about that once in a while.  Had I been doing something wrong at all it'd be a lot worse.

I was on the way to the hospital to visit my mom.

Jabba

Jabba,

I feel for you but sounds to me like two different cases. Mrs. Hunt was not paying attention and
Anita Zaffke paid with her life because of it.

I want her to go to jail and I hope it's the full five years.  From reading Capt. Morgans post from
the Patriot Guard rider who attended the trial, sounds like Mrs. Hunt made no attempt to say she
was sorry to the Zaffke family.  It woundn't bring Anita back but the gesture would go a long way.

[Jabba]

Probably true... but I bet she WOULD if her attormey's would let her.  I'd bet MONEY they wouldn't.

Either way... this is America and we can disagree.  I still respect you.

Ride safe, and look out for the morons trying to kill us.

Jabba

[Popeye]

Probably true... but I bet she WOULD if her attormey's would let her.  I'd bet MONEY they wouldn't.

Either way... this is America and we can disagree.  I still respect you.

Ride safe, and look out for the morons trying to kill us.

Jabba

Jabba,

I respect your opinion as well.  I just keep thinking how would I feel if it had been my wife that
had been on the bike. 5 years doen't seem enought.

Ride Safe,

Popeye

[Charlie]

I keep reading this and just have a knot in my stomach from it.  I sense the feelings some of you have for both the victim and their families and the sad truth that the woman responsible will have to live with her actions the rest of her life, which might be punishment enough.  I do not agree with the sense of pity for the woman who took the life.

I realize we all make stupid decisions at various times, and end up paying for them in one way or the other.  The sad part is, in todays society, I see these stupid decisions by drivers on a daily basis.  I have witnessed people reading the paper, texting, applying make-up, even changing a pullover shirt, while driving.  In the case of the make-up, the person veered to the right, hit a curb, bounced back into traffic, and crossed into oncoming traffic, barely missing a car.  Fortunately for me, I was behind her and saw what she was doing from a fair distance, which allowed me to prevent becoming a victim of her stupidity.

I think we all should take a lesson from these kinds of situations.  The guy who was pulling his shirt over his head while driving heard from me and the driver behind me.  The more we stand up against stupidity of this sort, the more people will become aware of its affects on them.  I can not have sympathy for the who effectively and potentially destroyed numerous other peoples lives because of her carelessness.  It sickens me to think otherwise. 

The sad truth is, if she does not do time, this person, who can't see beyond her fingernails, will probably be back on the road at some point in the future, making the same kinds of stupid decisions.  She needs to pay for her poor judgement.  She needs to spend time, behind bars, and be reminded daily of what her bad decisions do to other peoples lives, and until she displays an understanding of those affects, she needs to be continually reminded, in prison.  My family, my friends, etc. lives depend on it, and so do yours.


End of rant.

[fudgie]

I was riding with the x and her hubby back in March. We left the HD dealer and was riding staggered in the left lane. He was ahead of me a bit since we just turned the corner. A young guy, college parking stickers in the back window, drifted over into the left lane, approx 3'. X was over far enough to avoid anything. I sped up and got beside him and looked in his window. He was texting of coarse. He slowly raised his head up and bout crapped himself when he saw me 2' away. We then rolled on. If Kit was onboard or my HD bud was with us it mighta got worse!  10 miles up the road he was still texting.

[Brad]

Only got 18 months at night.....free during the day.......I don't know

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/lora-hunt-anita-zaffke-reckless-homicide-nail-polish-20100722

[Chrisj CMA]

Loud pipes may not save lives.....but loud horns do.  I have a stebil and I HONK LOUDLY at anyone on a cell while driving.  In one case (the first time I did it) the young girl was so scared she threw the phone in the back seat and grabbed the wheel with both hands.....probably something new for her

I now liberally honk stare and nod "no" when I stop next to someone at a light and they have been driving while texting or talking..........hoping all the time  a cop is there to see what Im on about...I think you can get a ticket for it now, (not sure)  but soon it will be like seatbelts, a stoppable offense 

Would be fun to see what happenes to nail polish at the sound of a stebil attack 

[Stanley Steamer]

Georgia just passed a no texting law I believe.....I agree with that 110%!

[dosnewfs]

sounds like a bunch of you should be watching the road and the outside of other vehicles and not getting distracted looking into other cars to see what those people are doing.  If you are so focused on the person texting then you are just as distracted as the person texting.  If it is OK because you look back at the road every other second then maybe it is ok if they look back at the road every other second too.

I talk on my phone all the damn time.  I rarely text even when I'm not driving so I'm not good enough to do it well while driving (and I have not done it since they passed the new law of course )

One size does not fit all.  On a straight baren highway that I know there is only one intersection every mile or two and minimal traffic, and I can see for 30 seconds in front and behind me I see no problem doing these things.  In traffic with lights and intersections and parking lots every 50feet it is a whole different story.  

The problem is that the distracted person has less time to react to things because they do not see it soon enough, think of that the next time you take your speedo above the speed limit and reduce the time you have to see and react.

She should be punished and it will stop other people, that is why I quit drinking 12 years ago (other people going to jail for a long time)

[musclehead]

I've been following this one for a while. It's just sick how little some people actually think about what their actions might cause.

yep, I drive 18 wheelers now and in 3 years I have seen every daily chore that should be done at home while people are cruising that includes some that should be happening in the bedroom 

you will see 18 wheelers swerve when they are all by themselves, I've done it myself grabbing a bag of chips or looking at the map, I wait so there are no cars around me in case i swerve. so I'm NOT without sin, however comparing time spent behind the wheel most people could suspend or just wait until they stop to do most of the crap I see them doing.

I've got about 365,000 miles so far, I wish it was all on my bike    there it's kinda valkyrie related