Suspected drunk driver sentenced to four years in prison



MILWAUKEE -- A Milwaukee County judge sentenced Jasmine Lyboualong, the suspected drunk driver that allegedly hit and killed 30-year-old Michael Grabowski, to four years in prison with another six years of extended supervision.

On March 11, 2011 witnesses say Grabowski was in the street tending to a man who had been hit by a car, when another vehicle, driven by then 18-year-old Lyboualong drove through the intersection of 33rd and Lincoln , hitting Grabowski and a woman. Grabowski died later that day.

Lyboualong pleaded no contest to two felony charges, homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle, and reckless driving--causing great bodily harm.

Monday, Judge Richard Sankovicz addressed a full Milwaukee County courtroom during Lyboualong's sentencing hearing. Grabowski's mother, Nancy Tomashek, spoke on her son's behalf. "It's not a tragedy. What happened is criminal. It breaks my heart that I couldn't be there for my son, to hold his hand and say 'Mikey, Momma's here,'" Tomashek said.

Lyboualong admitted to drinking four beers at a bar prior to the crash. "I cry every time I think about the tragedy I caused, and the heartache I caused everyone, and I'm truly, truly sorry," Lyboualong said Monday.

Ultimately, the judge sentenced Lyboualong to four years in prison, and six years of extended supervision, with the judge denying her eligibility for early release.

Lyboualong was originally charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, but a procedural error in the collection of her blood sample led the prosecutor to pursue lesser charges.

Outside of the courtroom Monday, Nancy Tomashek and the Lyboualong family talked face to face. It was described as an emotional meeting in which each offered support to one another. "There are really no winners here. My son is gone, and a young woman is now going to prison," Tomashek said.