YSU student sentenced for vehicular homicide - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - A Youngstown State University student convicted of vehicular homicide was sentenced on Monday.

Twenty-one-year-old Samantha Yoder learned the hard way the consequences of talking on the phone while driving, after causing an accident last February that killed one person and left another seriously injured.

"I am sincerely sorry. I wish I could go back and change whatever happened that day," Yoder cried in court. "I would just like to say sorry to all the family members once again."

Yoder was talking on her cell phone when she accidentally ran a red-light and hit the car of 79-year-old Elaine Welsh and her daughter, 45-year-old Susan Welsh. Susan died as a result of her injuries.

"If she [Susan Welsh] were here today you might be surprised at what she would say to you [Yoder]," said Bob Welsh a member of the victim's family. "She would probably say, 'Come on you've got to get this past you, you've got to move on, life is too short.'"

Family members of the victim openly spoke of their forgiveness toward Yoder, even consoling her following the sentencing.

"I have a daughter that's 21-years-old, the same as Samantha," said Tony Dudzik a member of the victim's family. "I thought, what I would do if Rachel did that? You just try to work your way through it and come to grips with it."

At the request of the victim's family, Yoder will not serve what could have been six months in jail. However she will pay the maximum in fines associated with vehicular homicide and running a red light.

Her license has been suspended for five years and at the request of the judge she will spend 250 hours of community service advocating the dangers of using a phone while driving.