MINNEAPOLIS — A judge sentenced a man to 50 months in prison for a hit-and-run crash that killed a 70-year-old Minneapolis woman on a mobility scooter in the fall of 2021.
In January, Cameron Bendson of Minneapolis pleaded guilty to criminal vehicular homicide.
The crash happened on Oct. 11, 2021 when Bendson ran a red light in his Jeep and fatally struck Rosie Means crossing the street on her scooter in Minneapolis. Means was in the crosswalk on West Broadway Avenue. Bendson did not stop to help her, instead running and eventually lighting his Jeep on fire in an attempt to hide evidence.
Later that same day, St. Anthony police were called on a report of a suspicious person behind a business. Officers responded, found Bendson in a stolen vehicle and arrested him.
Rosie Means was described by friends as a "pillar" of the north Minneapolis community, a sassy grandmother whose daughter says played a special role in several family members' lives.
"That was just her -- she was sassy as can be," said Marilyn Reese.
Rosie's family has been frustrated by what they see as a lack of remorse and Bendson being allowed to blame his drug addition for his actions.
"Umm yeah umm I am very remorseful," Bendson stammered. "Addiction. I don't know… I just don't know how it all happened. It's like beyond me. I am really sorry."
Judge Peter Cahill told Bendson that's the first time he's heard him express remorse. And Cahill echoed the prosecutor's wishes -- that the sentence mean more to Bendson than just time spent locked up.
"And if the remorse is real, I expect that you will show it's true by committing to your sobriety. Every day of your life. Not just while you're in prison. But every day of your life," Cahill said.
"I just feel like justice is not served," Reese said.
Bendson has to serve two-thirds of his 50-month sentence behind bars. He gets credit for the five months that he's already been in jail. That means he'll be released from prison in two and a half years.
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