CHARLOTTE, Mich. — The woman who hit and killed a well-known Eaton County pastor is got a second chance on Thursday.
Elizabeth Meinke of Charlotte will not serve jail time if she follows the rules of her delayed sentencing.
The accident happened last May when Meinke hit Timothy Olson's car as he was driving for his morning coffee, killing him. In court, emotional words from Meinke and the pastor's daughter.
"I made the biggest mistake of my life and I have to live with it for the rest of my life. If I could go back that day and take his place I would," Meinke said.
Speaking through tears at her sentencing, she apologized to Olson's family and the church for her role in 51-year old Timothy Olson's death, also adding she is thankful for the forgiveness the family has given her, and the second chance.
"I am truly sorry that I took somebody away from you. I am going to take the second chance and I hope to be able to carry on the pastor's name and do good for other people and be able to help others and be able to share my story."
Timothy Olson's daughter, Rachel spoke at the sentencing too. She stressed the importance of forgiveness in the wake of the tragedy.
"My dad, he was a man of forgiveness and he also proclaimed the fact that Jesus died for our sins and because Christ died and forgave us, we should extend that to others," Rachel Olson said.
Judge John Maurer lifted the no-contact order, allowing Meinke to have contact with Olson's family. Outside the courtroom, the two embraced one another and had the chance to talk.
"It was nice to see her just receiving that forgiveness...and I could just see in her the sense of hope and joy that I hadn't really seen in her until today in my other experiences with her. It was nice to see her and hug her. I look at her as a friend," Olson said.
To stay out of jail, Meinke must be drug tested twice a week. She is not allowed to drink and not allowed to drive. She also must work at least 30 hours a week. She has no prior criminal record.
The original charge was "reckless driving causing death." If Meinke completes the terms of her sentence, it will be changed to a "moving violation causing death," which is a misdemeanor.
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