PAOLA — Following an emotional hearing in Paola Municipal Court, Judge Sheila Schultz ruled that the driver involved in a fatal accident in Paola last fall must pay fines for traffic violations, but she won’t be required to pay restitution to the victim’s family. The Miami County Republic reports 34-year-old Autumn Bassett was fined for speeding, inattentive driving and operating a motor vehicle without insurance in the accident in which she killed 9-year-old Johnna Feugate on Sept. 21. She hit and injured Johnna’s twin sister Christina Feugate. The girls’ family originally sought $101,000 in restitution but withdrew it after they found their insurance company will file suit against Bassett. The family refiled a claim for restitution of a little more than $7,600 to cover the costs of Johnna’s burial. However, the judge ruled that restitution in this case is a matter of civil law and not criminal law.
Tuesday, April 23, 2 p.m.
