Woman faces manslaughter charge in crash that killed 5-year-old

<p>A Rohnert Park woman whose SUV rammed into a stopped vehicle, killing a 5-year-old boy and seriously injuring another passenger in April was formally charged Thursday with vehicular manslaughter.</p><p>Brandi Hanley, 32, did not enter a plea as she stood in court to hear the charge that could bring her a prison term of between two and six years.</p><p>Prosecutor Craig Brooks filed the one-count criminal complaint Thursday and turned over a packet of investigative documents to defense attorney Ande Thomas. Hanley didn't speak during the brief hearing.</p><p>Hanley is charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence in the rush-hour April 28 crash at Guerneville and Marlow roads in west Santa Rosa.</p><p>She was driving a Ford Explorer on a suspended license when the SUV struck the rear of a Toyota Matrix at about 40 mph, police said. The impact sent the smaller vehicle across the intersection, where it slammed into a metal utility pole.</p><p>Five-year-old Addison Branson, who was in the back seat of the Matrix, was killed. Passenger Jennifer Welch, 55, was seriously injured. The boy's father, Albert Branson, 52, who was driving, suffered minor injuries.</p><p>The boy was severely injured at the scene, bleeding and unconscious, when a witness took him out of the crumpled car and laid him on a patch of grass on the corner. He died later at a hospital.</p><p>Hanley was driving on a suspended license, the result of a medical condition, police said. </p><p>She told officers she didn't realize the light was red and other cars weren't moving.</p><p>Prosecutors delayed filing charges until they had toxicology results back from Hanley. Brooks declined to comment on the results of those tests.</p><p>Police have investigated Hanley's medical records, prescriptions and various medications she was using, according to court documents.</p><p>Hanley was not charged with vehicular manslaughter with intoxication. Gross negligence, which elevates vehicular manslaughter to a felony, is defined as negligence greater than “ordinary negligence.”</p><p>“You take a look at all the factors,” Brooks said. “We believed there was sufficient evidence to show gross negligence.”</p><p>A driver's speed, sobriety level, driving behavior, judgment and other factors are considered.</p><p>A gross vehicular manslaughter conviction carries a potential prison term of between two and six years. The serious injuries caused to another victim can add another three years to any sentence.</p><p>Hanley was ordered back to court Sept. 28 for a plea and potential settlement discussions.</p>