Woman pleads guilty to negligent homicide in death of coach

VERNAL — The woman who hit and killed Vernal businessman and Uintah High School softball coach Claye Robb in November has pleaded guilty to negligent homicide.

The Uintah County Attorney's Office filed the class A misdemeanor charge against Aimee Jo Rowell, 24, on Wednesday.

Rowell was arraigned Monday in 8th District Court. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. At the request of Robb's family, the judge suspended the jail term and placed Rowell on court probation for two years.

Police say Rowell was driving a pickup truck about 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 21 when she hit Robb from behind and then struck a power pole. A passing motorist contacted authorities, who believed they were responding to a crash involving only property damage.

When deputies arrived, however, they discovered Robb, 48. He died at the scene.

Deputy Uintah County Attorney Ed Peterson said in court Monday that accident reconstruction experts determined Rowell was driving 45 mph when she struck Robb. The posted speed limit in the area is 35 mph. Peterson added that Robb was walking about four feet away from the road when he was hit, according to the evidence.

Investigators have said repeatedly that evidence showed Rowell was not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash.

— Geoff Liesik