90-mph ride in a 45-mph zone: How a woman will pay for an 88-year-old man's death

Julius Whigham II, Palm Beach Post
·2 min read

WEST PALM BEACH — A Palm Springs woman will serve three years of probation after pleading guilty to a reckless driving charge in a 2020 crash that killed an older man near the West Boynton Branch Library.

Ana del Carmen Salinas, 51, initially faced a vehicular homicide charge in the death of Julius Bernard Shevlin, 88, on March 13, 2020. Her plea March 20 was to a lesser charge of reckless driving causing serious bodily injury during a hearing at the Palm Beach County Courthouse before Circuit Judge Howard Coates.

Coates credited her with one day served in the Palm Beach County Jail and withheld adjudication on the condition that she comply with the terms of her probation.

Boynton Beach acquittal:Despite girlfriend saying he did it, boyfriend found not guilty of fatal park shooting

Guns at schools:Palm Beach Gardens High student faces charges after loaded gun confiscated on campus

Late-night detour:Northbound turnpike closing overnight between Jupiter and Port St. Lucie through Wednesday

Shevlin was killed when his green Toyota Yaris collided with Salinas' white Honda Accord as Shevlin exited the library parking lot and attempted to turn left into northbound traffic, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said.

An obituary said Shevlin was the father of three and grandfather of four children.

Investigators said Salinas was driving in excess of 90 mph in a 45 mph zone in the moments before the crash. There was no indication in her arrest report that she was under the influence of drugs or alcohol when it happened.

During the sentencing hearing, Coates ordered that Salinas complete 200 hours of community service and that she refrain from using alcohol or nonprescription drugs. She also must sit before an online victim impact panel, where people who have lost loved ones to fatal crashes tell offenders of their experiences.

Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on Twitter at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Woman pleads guilty in 2020 fatal crash near west Boynton library