Resolution close for mom charged in negligent homicide case
By Sara Israelsen-Hartley
Deseret News
Published: December 11, 2008
PROVO — Attorneys say they are working toward a resolution in the case of a mother charged with negligent homicide when her 15-year-old son hit and killed a toddler riding his bike.
Regina Tausinga, of Saratoga Springs, was in 4th District Court with a group of family and friends Wednesday when her attorney, Nyal Bodily, told court the state had recently made an offer. Prosecutor Guy Probert confirmed an offer was made Wednesday.
"We're considering the details, we'd like to set it for entry of plea in a week," Bodily told Judge Lynn Davis.
Tausinga was charged with misdemeanors of negligent homicide, allowing an unlicensed driver to drive and no proof of insurance.
On Aug. 21, Cooper Mardesich, 4, had gone with his mother to drop a sibling off at the nearby bus stop and was riding his bike around the Saratoga Springs neighborhood. After the bus pulled away, Tausinga's son pulled out in the van and failed to see Cooper on his bike, hitting him.
Other neighbors at the bus stop performed CPR on Cooper until paramedics arrived and flew him to Primary Children's Medical Center, where he later died.
Tausinga's son was charged similarly to his mother, but resolved his case in juvenile court in November, pleading no contest to negligent homicide.
Two other misdemeanors, similar to those his mom faces, were dismissed.
The judge ordered that the boy serve 185 hours of community service, said his attorney, Greg Skordas.
Despite the tragic nature of the case, the Mardesich family has continued to stay supportive of the Tausingas, as evidenced by the mothers sitting side by side in court Wednesday.
"It would be a much harder case if there was a lot of animosity," Bodily said. "I could see things going differently if it were hateful."
But there has never been anything but support, all the attorneys say.
"They have been very kind and very understanding of the (Tausinga's) situation," Probert said of the Mardesich family. "I think everybody would probably agree this is a chain of most unfortunate events."
Tausinga will be in court again Dec. 17.
