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Posted on Wed, Aug. 17, 2005


Illegal immigrant sentenced in nurse's death

Associated Press


LAWRENCE, Kan. - An illegal immigrant who struck and killed a nurse while driving drunk has been sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison.

Adan S. Cruz, 23, killed Jodie Hatzenbihler, 25, of Olathe, as she was leaving a Lawrence bar on April 9.

He was sentenced Tuesday for involuntary manslaughter. Cruz also was sentenced to a year in prison for drunken driving, with the sentences to run concurrently.

Cruz had a prior drunken driving charge, and Hatzenbihler's father, Dean, said his daughter might still be alive if Cruz had been deported to Mexico after the first charge. He also said state law that sets sentencing guidelines hamstrings judges in such cases.

Cruz wasn't deported for his previous drunken driving charge because it wasn't a felony, but it is likely he will be deported after serving this sentence because he was convicted of a felony.

Cruz's attorney, Shelley Bock, said his client was truly sorry for what happened. He said Cruz worked 70 hours a week at two jobs.