11/19/12 - A 17-year-old former Hartland High School student who struck a security officer with a vehicle in the parking lot was sentenced during a very emotional hearing Monday afternoon. The teen, who lives in Brighton, pleaded guilty to charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious injury and possession of marijuana. He appeared with his parents and apologized through tears to the victim and her husband, saying he has since changed his life. A lengthy statement from 53-year-old Susan Hazzard was read aloud, detailing her injuries of a crushed spine and traumatic brain injury. She spent three months in a brace that locked her head, neck and spine in place to prevent her from moving. Hazzard said she was struck from behind after the teen passed out from inhaling a chemical substance out of an aerosol can. She said he never stopped to check on her and then went on to lie to school officials and investigators to cover up the truth. Hazzardâs husband struggled while reading his own statement aloud, saying his wife is permanently disfigured and asked that justice be administered. He told the teen after the hearing that sometimes little things turn into big things and wished him luck in his future. The teen was expelled from the Hartland district and despite objections from his parents, Attorney Referee Sandra Aspinall ordered him to complete a ten day program at a juvenile detention facility. She said part of rehabilitation is deterrence and while she does not believe it was intentional, it was a conscious act that put a string of events into motion. The teen was placed on intensive, supervised probation and must complete 200 hours of community service while continuing counseling. He will remain under the jurisdiction of the court until November of 2014 and restitution was not determined, pursuant to civil litigation. (JM)
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