Distracted Driver Sentenced in Valley Center Couple's Death

Jessi Daniels was convicted of vehicular manslaughter with ordinary negligence, a misdemeanor

A woman whose use of her phone led to the crash that killed a Valley Center couple was sentenced to a year in jail and ordered to perform hundreds of hours of public and volunteer work. 

Bobby Durant, 83, and Alleta Jo Durant, 81, were killed when a driver crossed into their lane and slammed into their Mercedes on June 27, 2017. 

The fatal crash occurred on the couple's 64th wedding anniversary and happened about five miles away from their home on Lilac Road.

Jessi Daniels was convicted of vehicular manslaughter with ordinary negligence, a misdemeanor.

Daniels was initially accused of driving under the influence but jurors acquitted her of those charges. 

She was convicted of crossing the double yellow line into an oncoming lane and, according to the San Diego County District Attorney's Office, the evidence presented at trial indicated Daniels was likely distracted by her phone at the time.

In court Monday, Daniels was ordered to serve 365 days in jail, 90 hours of public works and 250 hours of volunteer work at either an elderly care facility or in an education program that covers the dangers of distracted driving. 

Family members told NBC 7 the Durants moved from Texas to San Diego about 20 years before their deaths and worked as avocado growers. 

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