Woman sentenced in crash that killed bus driver

A New Prague woman was sentenced to four days in jail and probation Monday, Oct. 17, in connection with a crash last year that killed a 79-year-old pedestrian outside his home just south of New Prague. 

Susan Ann Russo, 48, had pleaded guilty earlier this year in a Le Sueur County courtroom to texting while driving on October 28, 2015, when her car struck Joseph Tikalsky while he was retrieving  his morning newspaper about 7:35 a.m. Tikalsky, who was a bus driver for New Prague Area Schools, was between shifts and was wearing his yellow reflective vest at the time. 

Russo will serve two days on the anniversary of the crash this year and in 2017, and will serve two years of probation. During her probation, she cannot have any electronic devices on in her car, must abstain from alcohol and must perform 40 hours of community service for Minnesotans for Safe Driving. She must also pay the maximum fine of $3,000, which will go toward producing a public service announcement warning about the dangers of cellphone use when driving. 

Read more in the print edition.