EARLY RELEASE: Woman Convicted Of Hitting Motorcyclist Released

A college student convicted of hitting a motorcyclist and fleeing the scene was released from prison. 

In August, 22-year-old Jennifer Lyn Moeller of Holland pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by vehicle and leaving the scene after hitting 47-year-old Joan Nicholson of Waterloo and leaving the scene. 

Police say Moeller had been drinking and was texting when she hit the Nicholson and drove off. 

Nicholson suffered broken bones and had to have her left leg amputated below the knee. 

Moeller was sentenced to seven years in prison in August, but a according the the Waterloo Courier, District Court Judge granted reconsideration after just 30 days.  Moeller will be on probation for two to five years and is ordered to perform 350 hours of unpaid community service including at least 80 hours in schools and at community groups speaking about the dangers of distracted and impaired driving. 

Moeller’s attorney said Moeller thought she hit a chunk of metal in the road and kept driving until her tire went flat and came off the rim.