Fingernail-painting driver who crashed into motorcyclist sentenced to 18 months

Lora Hunt, the motorist who crashed into motorcyclist Anita Zaffke in a Chicago suburb in 2009 and killed her, has been sentenced to 18 months of nighttime-only imprisonment. Hunt ignited outrage within the motorcycling community when she admitted to police that she was painting her fingernails at the time of the accident.

During her jail sentence, Hunt, who is a nurse, will be allowed to work during the day as well as go to counseling sessions. The Morris, Ill., resident must also perform 240 hours of community service and spend 30 months on probation.

Hunt was sentenced on July 22 by Lake County (Ill.) Judge Fred Foreman after being convicted on May 6 of reckless homicide.

Zaffke, 56, of Lake Zurich, Ill., was killed on May 2, 2009 when Hunt ran into the rear of her motorcycle at a stoplight in Lake Zurich, about 40 miles north of Chicago.

After the fatal crash, Greg Zaffke II of Wauconda, Ill., the victim's son, began painting his fingernails black as a reminder to anyone he meets of his mother's death. He also formed the Black Nail Brigade Foundation Against Distracted Driving (www.BlackNailBrigade.org) to publicize the dangers of distracted driving, push for legislation to impose appropriate penalties for distracted drivers who seriously injure or kill others, and to boost awareness to share the road with motorcycles.

Ed Moreland, AMA senior vice president for government relations, called the entire episode tragic.

"On behalf of the AMA and its members, I want to express our sincere condolences to Ms. Zaffke's family," Moreland said. "Tragedy can result from distracted driving, and we hope that our efforts and those of Greg Zaffke will help avoid further tragedies."

In 2009, the AMA adopted a formal position statement that endorsed enhanced penalties for those who injure or kill others while operating a motor vehicle when distracted or inattentive operation is involved, with the goal of preventing motorcycle crashes from occurring in the first place. To read the AMA's position statement on distracted and inattentive driving, go here.