Albany, New York — A 25-year-old woman, Jacklyn Parker, has been sentenced to 16 months to four years in prison for a fatal crash in upstate New York that claimed the life of 60-year-old Colleen Selkirk.
The sentencing comes more than a year after the tragic accident, which prosecutors said was caused by Parker failing to take her prescribed anti-seizure medication.
Fatal Collision on River Road
The crash occurred on August 19, 2024, on River Road in Selkirk. Parker, driving herself and a passenger, suffered an epileptic seizure while behind the wheel, causing her to veer across the double yellow line and collide head-on with Selkirk’s vehicle.
Emergency responders transported Parker and her passenger to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, but unfortunately, Selkirk was pronounced dead at the scene.
Failure to Take Prescribed Medication
According to the Albany County District Attorney’s Office, Parker had been warned by her doctor not to operate a vehicle if she failed to take her anti-seizure medication. Parker later admitted to authorities that she had skipped her medication for over a week before the crash, and suffered a seizure seconds before the collision.
After pleading guilty to criminally negligent homicide in July 2025, Parker’s sentencing was initially scheduled for September. Prosecutors asked the judge to also consider a DWI charge Parker faced that same month when determining her sentence.
Emotional Courtroom Statements
During the sentencing hearing, Parker apologized to Selkirk’s family, expressing remorse for her actions. Selkirk’s daughter, Katherine Giordano, spoke emotionally, sharing the impact of the loss on Selkirk’s grandchildren:
“How do you explain to children so little, who loved their Nana so much, that they will never see her again? [One child] still sometimes asks me if her Nana is ‘feeling better yet.’”
Sentence Increased
Parker’s 16-month to four-year prison sentence is slightly higher than the one to three years originally considered. The judge cited the severity of the offense, the preventable nature of the crash, and Parker’s failure to adhere to medical guidance in handing down the sentence, as per the reports.
Ongoing Legal and Safety Implications
The case underscores the critical importance of taking prescribed medications, particularly for conditions like epilepsy, and the severe consequences that can result from neglect. Authorities continue to urge drivers with medical conditions to strictly follow medical advice to prevent such tragedies.
This heartbreaking case raises important questions about medical responsibility, driving safety, and accountability. Do you think the sentence fits the crime? How can communities better prevent accidents like this? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
