Newport Resident Sentenced Following Dublin Collision Injuring Two Elders

The court's records indicate that Bayley Clifford did not yield at the intersection of Routes 101 and 137 while driving north on Route 137.

A woman from Newport received a sentence on Wednesday morning for her involvement in a significant accident that injured two elderly individuals in 2024. The court's records indicate that Bayley Clifford, who was 18 at the time, did not yield at the intersection of Route 101 and Route 137 while driving north on Route 137 on December 12. This led to a crash that resulted in serious injuries for two occupants of another vehicle.

Clifford acknowledged her guilt on two misdemeanor counts of vehicular assault during the court proceedings. Initially, she faced more severe allegations, including one count each of reckless conduct with a deadly weapon and second-degree assault, both classified as Class B felonies. Additional accusations included multiple misdemeanors and three motor vehicle violations.

As part of her sentencing, Clifford received a suspended jail term of up to two years, contingent on five years of probation. Additionally, she is obligated to compensate approximately $3,700 to the victims affected by the crash. The woman also had her driving privileges revoked for 60 days.

Victim impact statements released by the injured parties, both in their 70s, revealed the long-lasting effects of the incident on their independence and quality of life. One victim described the suddenness of the event and the ongoing consequences it brought into her life.

The crash occurred when Clifford’s Subaru sedan collided with a westbound Toyota sedan on Route 101. The driver of the Toyota, aged 75, sustained serious injuries including a brain bleed and nerve damage to an eye, while the passenger, also 75, suffered several broken ribs, a fractured sternum, and a broken arm. At the time of the incident, Clifford was reported to have suffered only minor injuries and was taken to the hospital.