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Driver gets probation in death of family

Sheila Gardner / The Record-Courier

MINDEN ” A Gardnerville woman who admitted causing the deaths of a California family of four in a head-on collision because she improperly medicated her diabetes was sentenced this week to probation.

“All I can say is you have no idea how sorry I am,” said Dawn Miley, 44. “If any family members were here, I would tell them how sorry I am.”

On Monday, District Judge Michael Gibbons suspended a three-year sentence in Nevada State Prison and placed Miley on five years probation.



He ordered her to perform 500 hours of community service and pay $11,044 restitution to the victims’ survivors for funeral expenses as a result of the July 14, 2007, collision on Highway 395 south of Gardnerville.

Miley pleaded guilty in December to felony neglect of duty by self-medicating her diabetes without a doctor’s supervision.



As a result, she drove while her level of consciousness was altered by low blood sugar, causing her to lose control of her vehicle.

Killed at the scene were Jerome Calevro, 58; his wife, Maria Amelia, 52; daughter Bernadette, 23, and son Jerome Daniel, 15. The Calevros were en route from their Torrance, Calif., home to a vacation at Lake Tahoe.

“You appear to be as remorseful as anyone I’ve ever seen. You have no criminal record,” Gibbons told Miley who cried during the sentencing. “You had no health insurance at the time, and were not under the direct care of a doctor.

“Unfortunately, no one is here to speak for the victims, they were all killed,” Gibbons said.

He ordered Miley to abstain from alcohol and continue medical treatment and mental health counseling.

He said she could not drive without permission of the court.

“I’m never going to see you again (in court). Unfortunately, you’re going to have to live with this the rest of your life. You have a special obligation to this family. You have your life to live, and you must contribute in your life something on their behalf,” Gibbons said.

Maria Calevro was an elementary school teacher and Jerome worked as a dietitian at a nursing home.

Their son was a high school student and their daughter recently graduated from college.

Miley served one day in custody after the accident; she has surrendered her driver’s license.

At her arraignment in December, Miley said she couldn’t remember what happened. She was hospitalized for three days.


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