Salem woman pleads guilty to fatal hit-and-run crash

A Salem woman was sentenced to six years and three months in prison after pleading guilty to hitting and killing a woman with her car while driving under the influence.

The morning of March 16, Vanessa Gienapp, 44, was driving her Hyundai Sonata south down Fisher Road NE. Sandra Hill, 72, was walking outside her northeast Salem home to check her mail.

A U.S. Postal Service worker, who had just delivered Hill's mail, watched as Gienapp's car left the roadway and hit Hill.

The force of the crash knocked Hill and her mailbox to the ground.

Gienapp kept driving after striking Hill, according to Salem police.

The mail carrier spotted Gienapp beginning to drive away and used her delivery vehicle to block the road. The carrier remained in the middle of the street until officers arrived.

Salem woman struck by car while checking mail

Hill was taken to Salem Health hospital with life-threatening injuries. She died April 3 from her injuries.

Gienapp was arrested after performing field sobriety tests at the scene. She was initially charged with DUI and second-degree assault. After Hill died, the assault charge was upgraded to second-degree manslaughter.

According to her obituary, Hill, a former travel agent and administrative assistant, was involved in several local organizations, including the Willamette Humane Society, Willamette Valley Hospice and the Progressive Film Series. She married her husband Jim Hill in 2006, and the pair lived in Salem with their three cats. Family said she enjoyed volleyball, cross-country skiing, walking on the beach and playing pinochle.

Gienapp in her plea petition admitted to recklessly causing Hill's death by hitting her with her car while under the influence of intoxicants.

Marion County Judge Rafael Caso sentenced Gienapp on Friday to six years and three months in prison, the Measure 11 mandatory minimum sentence. Her driver's license was also permanently revoked.

For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodwort@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-399-6884 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth

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