Woman Sentenced For No Auto Insurance

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Crash victim left seriously injured with huge medical bills
Reporter: Gary Smollen
Email Address: gary.smollen@wowt.com

24 comments

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An Omaha man faces a lifetime of challenges after being hit by an uninsured driver. One of the biggest is how to pay for his therapy and ‘round-the-clock care.

Anthony Cato Jr. used to walk the halls of the Douglas County Courthouse as a security official. Monday, he was wheeled into court seeking restitution for his mounting hospital bills. "My insurance only covers $50,000."

In September, Cato was driving home from work when a driver ran a red light and smashed into his SUV.

Cato's life was spared, but his neck was broken. "I've been changed from a pure quadriplegic to a partial quadriplegic, but it's up to me to keep working and fighting to get better."

Cato wants Leslie Wyland to pay for that care. She's the owner of the car that crashed into Cato. She let the insurance lapse for a fourth time.

Her son was driving the car and faces his own charges. Cato hopes the court will make Wyland help with his medical bills.

Wyland's attorney says her fast-food job won't allow her to pay much restitution. "She can't afford to pay Mr. Cato's bills, which are just unfortunately astronomical," says lawyer Timothy Mikulicz.

Wyland plead "no contest" to the insurance charge and was sentenced to 90 days, a $100 fine and restitution of $5,000. Cato's bills are already approaching $200,000.

Cato was also hoping for was an apology. "The one thing I was disappointed in, even though it was a late admission I didn't really get an apology, but I have closure now and I can move forward and I'm looking forward to that."

Wyland's son, 20-year-old John Kuklinski, will be in court Wednesday to face a DUI charge related to the accident.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Nikki on Dec 20, 2007 at 01:00 PM
To M- You must be a friend to Leslie Wyland or her son because you made the most ridiculous comments I think I have heard on here in a real long time. So what you are saying is, if someone owns a vehicle that is registered every year and does not have it insured should not be held responsible if their car is involved in an accident? And that we should all be proud of her because she was not driving it. Did she allow her son to drive it or when he got drunk, did he steal it? And that money is not going to help the innocent victim who will suffer for the rest of his life because of Leslie Wyland and her drunk son? M- I can imagine what kind of a person you are. I hope you never have to live with a situation like this. We will see how quick you change your opinion then.And the people of Omaha don't sit above everyone else. I will say that most of them are certainly smarter than you and your friend Leslie and her son John. God speed your recovery Mr.Cato.

Posted by: Erin on Dec 18, 2007 at 02:20 PM
I think her fast food job absolutely would allow her to pay restitution...she can pay it off for as long as it takes. She was being unintelligent as was her child.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 18, 2007 at 01:25 PM
All of it boils down to the ownership of the vehicle. The OWNER has to have the vehicle ins. This is the LAW people. The law doesn't care who you are!! You MUST have ins !!!! The person hurt in this crash NEEDS his bills to be paid!! The person without ins. should be held responsable for those bills no matter what that persons income is. Im sorry, woulda,coulda,shoulda does'nt count!!!!

Posted by: Kay on Dec 18, 2007 at 11:56 AM
Seriously M. Blame the victim. Why did she let her son have access to the car when she knew and I mean knew it was uninsured. This is just the tip of the iceberg for her problems. Why don't we all just stop being taking care of our own things lets all stop getting insurance and let our grown drunk underaged kids drive our uninsured cars. I have no pity for her. She could have said no taken the keys with her or called the cops when he took her car with out permission. They both must be responsible for their choices.

Posted by: Are You Kidding? on Dec 18, 2007 at 11:38 AM
To M: So you think that this woman isn't responsible? Who are you kidding? This was HER car and she let HER insurance lapse for gee, the 4th time! You are correct however, it wasn't her driving. That is a moot point. She still DIDN'T have any insurance. It is the LAW, you are to HAVE insurance. Perhaps when you are visiting her and her son in jail, you can, as a friend that you apparently are,explain to her the law. Or do you not have insurance either????

Posted by: patty on Dec 18, 2007 at 11:22 AM
I always carry insurance on my car, but for the past two years when I have gone to license my car, they have not asked for any proof of insurance. Maybe someone should be asking the DMV why they are not asking about proof of insurance.

Posted by: M on Dec 18, 2007 at 09:41 AM
Well aren't we judgemental. But you are right this is Omaha, Ne where everyone sits up a little higher than everyone else. Was the person driving the car the one that let the insurance lapse. Um no, she wasn't so how does that make her responsible, I'd say she was the responsible one by not driving. How is she at fault oh because she didn't chain her son to the back tree, wait then she'd be a child abuser. Ya what happened to that man was horrible, and nothing is going to make his life better, not even someone sending him a check every month. Come ON! How sickening is that, here have 200.00 a month hope it helps you walk. Maybe just maybe if you are all so concerned with him you'd go sit with him or drive him to physical therapy or any number of things that will help his SPIRIT because MONEY will not make that man walk again. Pathetic, really pathetic people.

Posted by: w on Dec 18, 2007 at 08:43 AM
How does she get her car licensed every year without insurance? How can her son pay for booze before paying for insurance?

Posted by: E on Dec 18, 2007 at 08:24 AM
This is completely disgraceful. I hope Mr Cato takes both mother & son to civil court & sues them...neither mother or son were acting like adults.

Posted by: citizen on Dec 18, 2007 at 07:01 AM
Both uninsured motorists and drunk driving are epidemic levels in the Big O! Perhaps OPD should do something.

Posted by: Jack on Dec 18, 2007 at 05:00 AM
This comment is not related to this case, but I think that if this state wants to force people to have insureance then why isn;t there a plan in place to help certain families who are low income pay for insurance? I mean I personally have been very tight on money a few times and have found myself asking, lets see car insurance or light bill? I just don't think this state should force people to have to make those kinda choices when it comes to car insurance.

Posted by: Steve on Dec 17, 2007 at 08:16 PM
So the uninsured motorist can't afford to pay restitution? Then, they should be jailed. At least ten years. It won't help Mr Cato, but it would send a message to those who chose to drive without insurance.

Posted by: Linda on Dec 17, 2007 at 07:44 PM
I hope Mr. Cato gets something. Too often it is the victim that is left out in the cold while those who caused the situation get off with minimal consequences. The jail time and fine are slaps on the wrist.

Posted by: M on Dec 17, 2007 at 07:43 PM
It's unfortunate that Douglas County or even the State for that matter can't find some means of enforcing auto insurance. I think there needs to be some way to notify the proper authority if a person's insurance has lapsed or if they are no longer covered. It's this very reason that I have full coverage so that if I am hit by someone without insurance, I won't be stuck with all the bills. There are too many people driving without insurance, without driver's licenses or their license is suspended.

Posted by: Stacey on Dec 17, 2007 at 07:22 PM
You hope they hold her job? What about his job? He can no longer work. Her son was out drunk and has taken this mans life from him you could say. I hope they take her job and any other money she may get and make her son pay also. I guess this is Omaha NE, for you!!!!

Posted by: B on Dec 17, 2007 at 07:05 PM
Having been involved in a crash with an uninsured driver I know first hand how frustrating this is. It is outrageous that I pay more for insurance to cover those that are too irresponsible to buy their own coverage. I work hard for what I have and have often taken a second job when things got tight. In these types of cases, where the victims have life altering injuries, the drivers should have to pay the victims a set amount every month for life. Perhaps, when they write that check month after month, year after year they will begin to understand the pain they have caused. If you can't afford insurance then get a second job, or DO NOT DRIVE.

Posted by: y on Dec 17, 2007 at 06:00 PM
Hopefully Ms. Wyland's fast food employer will hold her job for her 90 days.

Posted by: S on Dec 17, 2007 at 05:59 PM
I hope they throw the book at these uninsured motorists and make examples of them. Mr. Cato is lucky to be alive.

Posted by: steve on Dec 17, 2007 at 05:05 PM
If you drive without insurance you are being irresponsible. People doing that should receive jail time and a bigger fine. Anyone they hit has to pay for their own medical problems and car repairs. I only carry liability on the one vehicle I drive. If someone without insurance hits my vehicle, I am the one being punished. We have the laws available. Enforce them! Oh, I forget we need a grant to enforce anything in Omaha to pay for overtime to build up the retirement of the police force.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 17, 2007 at 04:20 PM
Here's an idea: drop the lawyer and use that money to help Mr Cato!

Posted by: Roger on Dec 17, 2007 at 04:19 PM
Imaging that...another drunk was out on the road! He AND his mother need to get second jobs and pay for this man's medical care........oh wait....this is the USA. We can not hold anyone accountable for their actions. It is always someone's fault other than the criminal.

Posted by: C on Dec 17, 2007 at 03:54 PM
So, have I got this right? Mom had let her insurance lapse for the 4th time and the son who was driving was under the influence. Is that right? Oh, and they ran into a guy after running a stop light? But she can't "afford" to pay restitution because she doesn't make enough? That's why you have insurance!!! I saw a sign recently that poretty well summed up insurance. "Insurance is like a parachute. If you don't have it the first time you need it, then you probably won't need it a second time." I don't know the author but you get the point. Paying for the insurance in the first place would probably have been cheaper that what she should end up paying (but won't). And, last but not least, letting her son drive while under the influence is also an indication that they have it all together. Good luck, Mr. Cato. Hope the Red Cross and Salvation Army have been helping you out.