Trial set in wreck that killed Pasco triplet

A Hudson woman will stand trial Dec. 5 in a wreck that killed a 5-year-old triplet and injured three other children as they played in a front yard.

Betty Jo Tagerson, 40, had been set to face trial next week on vehicular homicide and other charges.

But at a hearing today, Tagerson's attorney said he needs more time to collect evidence and line up expert witnesses to testify about his client's medical condition.

The defense contends Tagerson blacked out without warning before the fatal wreck, the first of several blackout incidents.

Tagerson came to court using a walker.

Pasco Circuit Judge Michael Andrews agreed to push the trial back to December.

The delay left the triplets' mother in tears and shaking her head. Danielle Malm said she hadn't previously heard any talk of Tagerson blacking out behind the wheel.

"No, and I don't really know what to make of that," said Malm, who wore a photo of her dead daughter, Delaney, pinned to her blouse. "Not real sure about that."

The crash happened just after 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5 as the triplets – Delaney, Gabrielle and Isabella Rossman – played with their 10-year-old half-sister and a 9-year-old friend in the front yard of 12904 King Manor Ave.

Down the street, troopers said, Tagerson was arguing with her boyfriend in her front yard at 12910 King Manor.

According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, Tagerson got into her Jeep Grand Cherokee and sped away before losing control of the SUV and striking a mailbox, a parked truck and four of the children.

Delaney was killed. Gabrielle suffered broken bones, internal bleeding and a collapsed lung, and spent almost two weeks in hospital.

Isabella received minor injuries, as did the 9-year-old friend.

Tagerson was thrown from the SUV, which continued across the street and into the driveway of the triplets' home, where it smashed into the family's minivan.

Troopers said the Jeep had been traveling at least 44 mph in the 30 mph zone.

Tagerson was taken to a hospital after the wreck but released the next day. She was freed on bail a day after her arrest in March.

Outside the courthouse, Malm said prosecutors had prepared her family for a possible delay in the trial, although "it was just something that we were hoping not to get."

"So now it's just wait; wait and see," she said. "I'm not real sure what's going to happen next. The lawyers are going to start doing their thing and hopefully it gets resolved quickly."