It took a jury of six less than 20 minutes to return a guilty verdict Tuesday afternoon for Callan Gill, the woman who caused a head-on collision that crippled 16-year-old Ashlee Stokes nearly a year ago.

“It seemed like everyone was sitting on our side,” said Karen Stokes, Ashlee’s mom. “It was really encouraging to see how many people were there to support her.”

Gill, 24, was convicted of first-degree vehicular negligent injuring, a charge that carries a sentence of up to five years in prison. Judge Richard A. Swartz is expected to sentence Gill on June 23. According to Rick Wood, spokesman for District Attorney Walter Reed’s office, Swartz can determine whether or not the young woman receives probation after her incarceration.

Callan Gill, 23 when the accident occured, was found guilty in the drunk driving accident that left Ashlee Stokes in a wheel chair in May of 2008.

“In addition to her sentence, the judge can determine her probation period, if there is one, and can set other requirements she would have to complete after probation,” said Wood. “It can be things like certain coursework, restitution, drug tests, or rehab programs.”

The accident occurred May 25, 2008, on Fish Hatchery Road in Lacombe, as Ashlee and a family friend were riding to get ice cream after a crawfish boil. Gill allegedly had a blood alcohol level of .27 when her car crossed the centerline, slamming into the Ashlee’s car and sending both vehicles spinning off the road.

Karen and Ashlee Stokes were sequestered for much of the trial, only entering the courtroom near the end for closing arguments and the reading of the verdict. Wood said once the trial was over and the judge and jury had left the courtroom, the crowd of supporters gathered around the family, cheering and clapping while Ashlee lifted a trembling fist straight into the air.

Assistant District Attorney Jack Hoffstadt, who represented the people, grew close to the Stokes family over the last several months. Karen said she could tell the case meant a lot to Hoffstadt, and said in his closing arguments, the family did not want revenge, only justice, was right on target.

“There’s no winners, really, because here’s this young woman who will go to jail, and then there’s Ashlee, who is trying to get her life back,” said Karen. “She (Gill) has to realize what she did was wrong, so she can turn her life around.”

Emergency room doctors, state troopers, nurses and Ashlee’s father, David Stokes, all testified in the case. Brenda Sinclair, a victim’s advocate with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, was on hand to witness the proceedings. Ashlee has stated her intention to speak out against drunk driving at some point in the future, and Sinclair has offered her full support whenever the girl is ready.

A cheerleader at Northshore High School, Ashlee is not walking by herself yet, nor can she feed or bathe herself. Karen said her daughter is showing improvement every day, however, and noted she does not need nearly as much physical assistance as she has previously. Her colleagues on the cheer squad dropped in Tuesday evening with sandwiches and cake, and told Ashlee she is still a member of the team.

“They told her they want her to participate as much as she can,” said Karen.

Wood said that while the verdict would not erase Ashlee’s injuries, it could help the family gain a bit of closure.

“It can’t fix what happened to her,” he said, “but a verdict like this can help aid in the healing.”