Kelsey Alexander was treated for injuries at Genesis Medical Center, East Rusholme Street, Davenport.

Alcohol and excessive speed were factors in the wreck, which occurred when Alexander lost control of the Cadillac and crossed the center line, colliding with a 1997 Chevy Suburban driven by Quince Poston, 24, of Rock Island. In court, Kelsey Alexander said she was driving at 80 to 90 mph at the time of the crash.

Poston and a backseat passenger in Alexander’s vehicle, Drew Grace, 18, of Bettendorf, also were treated at Genesis.

Prison time could never punish Kelsey Alexander more than the life-long punishment she endures knowing her actions resulted in her sister’s death, Scott County Attorney Mike Walton said.

“I don’t see how sending this girl to prison would benefit anyone,” he said after the hearing. “One purpose of prison is punishment. She’s been more severely punished than anything the state can do.”

Walton said prosecutors considered that the victim and defendant were of the same family in recommending a sentence of probation. The fact she was drinking underage did not influence prosecutors’ recommendation, he said.