Driver in fatal crash sentenced to probation, jail

Emily Louise Givens has been sentenced to a year of probation and 30 days in jail on a misdemeanor charge of careless driving.
Givens was convicted in September of careless driving in regard to the April 2015 death of bicyclist Penny Verdeck of Glencoe, who was killed when her bicycle was struck by Givens’ vehicle just north of Glencoe.
Givens had faced three charges in relation to the accident. Two of those charges, a felony count of criminal vehicular homicide resulting in death, and a misdemeanor count of use of a wireless device while driving, were both dismissed by Judge Timothy Looby after a court trial.
According to Looby’s sentencing order, issued Nov. 22, Givens will be sentenced to one year of supervised probation on the misdemeanor charge of careless driving. Among the conditions of the probation are that Givens is to serve 30 days in the McLeod County Jail, which can be served as work release or sentence to service, if eligible.
Givens is to report to the jail on Jan. 4, 2017.
The sentencing order also requires Givens to work with her probation agent “to arrange meetings with local schools and driver education to make the issue of distracted driving the defendant’s mission.”
Other conditions of probation include: keeping the court and attorney informed of current address, remain law abiding, no same or similar, keep contact with probation and follow all instructions of probation, sign all releases of information, obtain permission from probation agent before leaving the state, follow all state and federal criminal laws, notify probation agent if arrested or issued a summons, cooperate and be truthful with agent in all matters, do not use or possess firearms, ammunition or explosives, if prohibited by law; keep agent informed of any change in employment or residence; participate in mediation, at the defendant’s expense, and only if requested by the victim’s family; no alcohol or controlled substance use, no possession of alcohol or drugs, complete a diagnostic assessment and follow its recommendations, no contact with the victim’s family, write a letter of apology, and be subject to random testing.
Penny Verdeck’s family has filed an affidavit seeking restitution. A hearing to consider restitution has been set for Dec. 30 at 1 p.m. before Judge Looby.