KING

Debra Whalawitsa was sentenced to 90 days home detention on Friday, August 24, 2007 for a hit-and-run crash that killed her adult son in November 2006.

SEATTLE - a Snoqualmie mother who left the scene of a car crash that killed her son won't spend any time behind bars.

Debra Whalawitsa, 49, pleaded guilty to hit-and-run in June.

"I would give my life to be able to change or undo that dreadful night," a tearful Whalawitsa told the judge moments before sentencing Friday.

"I have a hole in my heart and I feel part of my soul is missing."

Last November, Whalawitsa crashed the car she was driving near Snoqualmie.  Her 29-year-old son Calijah was ejected.

After the crash, Whalawitsa walked away from the scene.  She never called 911.

Hours later, her son was found dead at the scene.

"I am very sorry I did not call 911," said Whalawitsa in court. "I regret immensely that I did not call 911."

Whalawitsa, who serves as Snoqualmie's administrative services director, says she suffered a concussion in the crash and never saw her son.

"Had I not been hurt in the accident, I truly believe my thought process would have allowed me to call 911.  I made a wrong decision that night," said Whalawitsa.

Friends, family and co-workers were in court supporting Whalawitsa.

"She's also apologized to me several times for bringing humiliation to her position and our organization," said Snoqualmie City Administrator Bob Larson.

King County Superior Court judge Paris Kallas could have put Whalawitsa in prison for three-and-a-half years.

The final sentence was 90 days home detention.

"I think everyone in this room can agree it's every parent's nightmare what has happened in this case," said Kallas.

The judge says this case was the perfect use of the first-time offender status.

Whalawitsa has kept her job with the city of Snoqualmie.