The drunk driver who killed a grandmother and seriously injured her husband in Lakeside was sentenced Aug. 9 to 11 years and eight months in state prison.
The family of Lorraine Kennedy, 56, attended the sentencing of the drunk driver, Katie Ellison McGrosso, 22, who cried softly but said nothing before El Cajon Superior Court Judge Daniel Goldstein sentenced her.
The drunk driver who killed a grandmother and seriously injured her husband in Lakeside was sentenced Aug. 9 to 11 years and eight months in state prison.
The family of Lorraine Kennedy, 56, attended the sentencing of the drunk driver, Katie Ellison McGrosso, 22, who cried softly but said nothing before El Cajon Superior Court Judge Daniel Goldstein sentenced her.
McGrosso will have to serve 85% of her sentence before she can be released on parole, said Deputy District Attorney Steven Schott.
“You’re gonna be incapacitated for 10 years at least.” said Goldstein. “That’s a hefty sentence.”
Travis Kennedy, the victim’s son, said his mother probably would have visited McGrosso in jail and “probably would have forgiven her.” He described his mother as “the most amazing woman ever.”
Kennedy and her husband, David Sandale, were visiting from Texas when they crossed Woodside Ave. near Winter Gardens Blvd. at 8:20 p.m. in Lakeside on Sept. 25, 2015 when McGrosso struck both of them. She was driving without headlights.
Sandale survived, but spent 54 days in the intensive care unit of a hospital. His liver was lacerated, and he broke four ribs.
McGrosso pleaded guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and committing great bodily injury to Sandale while driving drunk. A second-degree murder charge was dismissed.
McGrosso was convicted of drunk driving when she was 17 years old. She had been sentenced as a juvenile and ordered to attend six months of Alcoholics Anonymous classes.
“Do not waste this opportunity,” said Travis Kennedy to McGrosso. “Tell your story to everyone.”
Travis Kennedy said the family supported the DA’s office decision to drop the murder charge. He said his mother would not have wanted McGrosso to serve a life sentence if convicted of murder. “She believed that everybody deserved many chances,” said her son.
“She was compassionate, loving, caring, and most of all giving. She was the brightest light in any room,” said Travis Kennedy. “She loved life.”
Goldstein fined McGrosso $7,194 and gave her credit for serving 362 days in jail. A restitution hearing will be held later to determine if she should pay the victim’s compensation board.
Lakeside man sentenced for felony child endangerment
Joe H. Tavolazzi, Jr., 60, of Lakeside, has been sentenced to four years and eight months in prison for felony child endangerment of his 9-year-old daughter who was living in a shed with weapons, drugs, and no bathroom.
Tavolazzi pleaded guilty to child endangerment and possession of a firearm by a felon in El Cajon Superior Court. His girlfriend, Kimberly Ann Bradeen, 29, was sentenced to 180 days in jail on terms of three years probation with a $1,374 fine after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm by a narcotics addict, according to court records.
Sheriff’s deputies discovered the housing arrangements on April 7 at 6 a.m. and 12721 Lindo Lane in Lakeside and initially arrested eight people including Tavolazzi and Bradeen. Deputies were there to initially do a probation compliance check.
Deputies discovered no food or running water in the shed with the girl. A shotgun, a rifle, and 8.1 grams of methamphetamine were nearby. There were cups of urine in the shed. Garbage was piled around the yard, and deputies found exposed electrical wiring for lighting in the shed that may have been a hazard.
Child Protective Services took the child and she was reportedly later placed with her mother.
