No prison in fatal Santa Rosa crash

<p>A Rohnert Park woman will serve no time in prison after pleading no contest Friday to a vehicular manslaughter charge in a 2009 crash that killed a five-year-old boy.</p><p>Brandi Hanley, 32, who faced a maximum nine years in prison, will be placed on five years of probation at her sentencing on April 1 in an accordance with a plea deal with the district attorney's office. If she violates probation, she could be sent to prison for five years.</p><p>Family members of the child said it was the best outcome considering the circumstances of the crash. Hanley had no prior criminal record and suffered from a seizure disorder that could have been raised as a possible defense.</p><p>The child's mother, Allison Scott, said she hoped Hanley would receive medical help during her probation and pay back a debt to society through community service that is required under the agreement.</p><p>“I don't think it's fair,” Scott said outside the courtroom. “I think it's just the best decision that could have been made.”</p><p>Hanley, who was not in custody, left the courtroom without comment. </p><p>The crash happened April 28 at Guerneville and Marlow roads in west Santa Rosa. Hanley was driving a Ford Explorer when she 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>Police said Hanley was driving on a suspended license, the result of a medical condition. Hanley told officers she didn't realize the light was red and that other cars weren't moving.</p><p>The case was set for a preliminary hearing when the plea agreement was announced. Judge Ken Gnoss approved the arrangement. He hwill have the option of sentencing Hanley to up to a year in county jail or granting probation.</p>