Breckenridge Hit & Run Driver Sentenced To Probation

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. (CBS4)- A hit-and-run driver who pleaded guilty in a hit-and-run that left a pedestrian with serious injuries will not go to jail.

Hallie Schmitt pleaded guilty in Summit County District Court in April to a felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident causing serious bodily injury the day after Christmas 2014.

Prosecutors said the victim, Laura Hamilton, was walking along Airport Road about 11:22 p.m. on Dec. 26, 2014 when she was struck by the vehicle driven by Schmitt. Schmitt did not stop and drove away.

Police only had a small piece of damaged bumper from a Toyota 4-Runner SUV in their search for the driver.

A few days later, Breckenridge Police Detective Blank saw a 2003 Toyota 4-Runner with front-end damage in his rear view mirror which matched the bumper debris found at the crime scene.

Schmitt was sentenced to six years probation on Monday. She faced a maximum term of six years imprisonment at the Department of Corrections.

District Attorney Bruce Brown reacted to the sentence, "Our district believes strongly in the power of rehabilitation and the court was channeling that value for this youthful offender."