West Valley woman who hit and killed teen in November 2017 sentenced to prison

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WEST JORDAN — A West Valley City woman may serve up to 20 years in prison after she hit and killed a man in November 2017 while she was driving with a blood-alcohol content that was twice the legal limit.

Roxanna Molina, 28, was sentenced Friday in 3rd District Court in West Jordan.

On Nov. 22, 2017, Molina, of West Valley City, was driving near 4200 S. Redwood Road when she ran a red light and hit 19-year-old Robert Harsh, according to charging documents.

Molina was going almost twice the speed limit in the area and had a blood-alcohol content of 0.17, charging documents state.

Harsh was in a crosswalk when the impact tossed him more than 300 feet. Molina drove away from the scene after hitting the man, according to charging documents.

Friday, Judge L. Douglas Hogan sentenced Molina to one to 15 years in Utah State Prison for the charge of automobile homicide, a second-degree felony, as well as up to five years in prison for the charge of failure to remain at an accident involving death, a third-degree felony, according to sentencing documents.

Molina will serve those sentences consecutively, according to the sentencing order, or one after the other. She will also receive credit for time already served.

"We are glad for the decision," Gina Harsh, Robert's mother, told members of the media following Friday's sentencing hearing.

She said it's important for Molina to pay her debt to society.

"We know that (Molina) can only go on with her life with peace of mind and sobriety," Gina Harsh said. "We’re glad with the sentencing and wish her well with the rest of her life."

In February, Molina initially pleaded not guilty to several charges, including automobile homicide and failing to remain at an accident involving death, according to court records.

That changed in June, though, when Molina pleaded guilty to those two counts, court records state. In the June plea, Molina admitted to driving in a “criminally negligent manner,” which resulted in Harsh’s death, according to court documents. She also admitted to leaving the scene of the crash.

Three other traffic offenses that initially were filed in the case were dismissed in June, according to court records.

Molina was ordered Friday to pay a fine of $2,890, and at least $12,390.90 in restitution in behalf of the victims of the crime, according to the sentencing order.

Molina's attorney and family members declined to speak with the media Friday following the sentencing hearing.

Contributing: John Wilson, KSL TV