A court case in Inyo County marks a turning point after a tragic motor vehicle accident in August of 2007.

In an emotional courtroom, 23 year old Danika Hayashi of Cerritos, was sentenced on two charges of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter after the accident that killed a 14 year old girl and 48 year old Big Pine Resident Laura Pappas.

Not far from a passing lane on 395, Hayashi had attempted to pass a Chevy Suburban that was towing a trailer. At the time of the accident, Highway Patrol officers explained that the Hayashi entered the oncoming lane of traffic, saw an oncoming vehicle, swerved onto the opposite shoulder of the road then drifted back into the northbound lane colliding with the Mazda driven by Rudolph Pappas of Big Pine.

Pappas suffered major injuries as did a 15 year old girl in the 4-Runner.

Two people died in this awful incident. Killed in this tragic accident were Laura Pappas and a passenger in the 4-Runner, a 14 year old girl.

The driver of the 4-Runner, Danika Hayashi, pleaded to the two counts of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, three years probation, plus community service.