Case resolved for young driver who killed 4-year-old

PROVO — An unlicensed 15-year-old driver who hit and killed a 4-year-old will perform 185 hours of community service after pleading no contest to negligent homicide.

"He was very apologetic," said attorney Greg Skordas, who represents the unlicensed driver, the son of Regina Tausinga. "The victims were there, there was a great dialogue between them. I think the judge sensed that he was truly apologetic."

Saratoga Springs police responded to Parkway Boulevard and Wagoneer Road on Aug. 21 to find neighbors performing CPR on 4-year-old Cooper Mardesich.

Cooper and his mother had just waved goodbye to an older sibling boarding a school bus, and as Cooper took off on his bike, he was hit by a van turning left. After being flown to Primary Children's Medical Center, Cooper died.

Tausinga and her son were both charged with negligent homicide, no proof of insurance and allowing an unlicensed driver to drive, or being an unlicensed driver.

With her son's plea of no-contest to the negligent homicide charge last week, the other two misdemeanors were dropped, Skordas said.

The son will have several months to complete his community service, plus he must get an assessment from a licensed therapist and follow through with any required counseling, Skordas said.

Regina Tausinga was in 4th District Court Wednesday for the next step in her court case.

Her attorney, Stephen Frazier, told the court he had filed a "bill of particulars," which asks the prosecutors to detail the facts they believe are going to prove the elements of the crime. He also told the court they're waiting on some evidence from police.

Prosecutor Guy Probert said the evidence referred to is the 911 call from someone who witnessed the accident, and he's still waiting for it from police. Without all the evidence, Frazier said it's too early to talk about whether or not they'll push forward to trial or whether there could be talks of a resolution.

Probert said he has tried to broach the idea of a resolution but said he didn't feel much of a response and had actually expected to set the case for trial Wednesday.

The case continues to amaze attorneys on both sides as they watch the kindness and compassion between the two families.

"They all hugged each other (when they came in)," prosecutor Guy Probert said. "It's clear that they're being very supportive. The Mardesichs have been at all the proceedings with her. It's incredible."

Tausinga comes to each hearing with her family and friends as well as members of the Mardesich family

Such support for Tausinga has been constant through the court process, Frazier said. It's also been constant for her son, Skordas said, whom he desribed as a good, straight-A kid.

"They've been extremely supportive," Frazier said of the victim's family. "She's holding up pretty well. It's difficult, anyway you look at it."

Tausinga will be in court again Dec. 10 at 8:30 a.m.

---

E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com