Palatine Huffing Case: 5 Year Prison Sentence

Karli M. Casey of Palatine was sentenced to five years in prison Wednesday for causing a multi-car crash after .

Casey pled guilty to four counts of great bodily harm. . 

Four people, including two passengers in Casey's vehicle were seriously injured. 

Casey, who was 19 years old at the time of the crash, turned 20 while in custody. After her sentencing, she told the family of the victims that she was sorry for what happened to their family, according to Sharon Johnson, a victim's advocate with The Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists. 

The most seriously injured victim, 84-year-old Apalonia Rilloraza required 24- hour care. They are hoping and praying that she gets better, Johnson said.

Rilloraza's son, Rosauro was driving the vehicle the two rode in when Casey crashed into them near First Bank Drive and Northwest Highway. 

Apalonia suffered a fractured wrist, collarbone, sternum and leg, and a ruptured spleen. Rosauro broke a number of ribs, Johnson said. 

Two others, passengers in Casey's car, also were injured. 

Jessica Raygor had a bruised pelvis and Ashley Griffith had a broken leg and right arm, a dislocated jaw and a torn liver. 

"The Rilloraza family was in court, and their response was just, very sad, and very overwhelmed," Johnson said.  

Prior to the crash, Johnson said, Apolonia was very active and had a lot of friends. Now, the entire family has been changed because of this woman, and have in ways lost their mother due to her condition.  

Because it is a special sentencing law, Casey will serve 85 percent of the five years. Taking into account the time she already has served, there is roughly 4 years and three months left in her sentence, Johnson said. 

Casey also gets a day and-a-half credit for the time she has spent incarcerated, which equals to 263 days credit. She will be sentenced to a minimum security prison in Illinois.

As far as compensatory damages for the constant care needed for Apalonia, it’s up to the family.

"They have lost a lot of work time. Apalonia had six major surgeries, the financial burden is quite a burden for the whole family," Johnson said. 

Casey had prior offenses, including theft and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Johnson said at the time of the accident, it was determined Casey had other drugs in her system, including cocaine, morphine and codeine.