Jail Time for Motorist Who Hit Girls Near School Bus

PORT ORCHARD, Wash. — A motorist who pleaded guilty to striking two girls in May after they exited their school bus, leaving them severely injured, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, the Kitsap Sun reports.

As previously reported, Randy Allen Payne hit the girls on May 23 as they were crossing the street, and did not stop to check on them; he drove to his home, which was nearby, where he was arrested for vehicle assault, DUI, hit and run, and driving on a suspended or revoked license third degree. The girls, 13 and 14, had been treated for serious injuries. Payne told police that he did not see the girls, according to the newspaper.

Payne pleaded guilty to a count of vehicular assault and felony hit and run, and was sentenced on June 23, the Kitsap Sun reports.

The girls’ mothers wrote a letter to Superior Court Judge Melissa Hemstreet that stated that their daughters’ injuries were extensive, with one suffering from a brain injury, according to the newspaper.

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