Farmington family finds forgiveness for man who killed daughter

Darah Lynn Robertson, of Farmington, was known for her compassion and forgiving nature. At age 18, she was quick to help out anyone. Then she was killed in an accident caused by a drugged driver.

On Friday, her family carried on the teenager's legacy when they told a Dakota County judge that they have forgiven the 60-year-old man who was driving high on prescription drugs and crashed into Robertson's car last year.

The family asked that Bruce Vaughn Moore not go to jail.

District Judge Mary Theisen agreed, yet set conditions which Moore must meet, or he will land behind bars. The sentence includes a four-year stayed prison sentence and 10 years' probation.

Moore is to return to court July 1 with the possibility of a year in jail unless he shows that he has complied with conditions, including 100 hours of community service for every six months on probation, mediation with the family and sobriety, as the family requested.

Moore and others wept during the emotional hearing, in which Darah Robertson's family played a video that depicted her life. Darah loved the outdoors, from dirt-bike riding to target shooting.

"We don't hate you, Mr. Moore," Nada Robertson, of Farmington, said of the daughter she lost. "It was a horrible mistake and we have all suffered a tremendous loss. I'm as sorry for you as I am for us. We forgive you, and in my heart I know that Darah forgives you, too."

Authorities say Moore had taken high levels of an anti-anxiety drug for which he had no prescription when he caused the three-car collision in Apple Valley on June 7, 2008.

It was shortly after 3 a.m. as Darah Robertson headed south on Cedar Avenue, toward Farmington. Her last act had been to drive a drunk friend home to Minneapolis after he called her for help.

Moore was traveling west on County Road 42. Moore, who cleaned businesses at night, was homeless and living in his car and was self-medicating for depression, authorities say.

Moore ran a red light and crashed into the driver's side of Robertson's car, ramming it into a third car.

She died at the crash scene. A man driving the third car was treated at Regions Hospital.

Moore had faced up to 10 years in prison for criminal vehicular homicide, as well as more time for injuring the second driver.

Friday morning, Moore was in court with his brother, as were Darah's family and friends.

Her stepfather, Dennis Logan, of Farmington, held up a photo of Darah while her mother, Nada Robertson, looked directly at Moore and spoke.

"There are pains and tragedies so great that words become useless," she said. "I can tell you what Darah was. She was the kind of kid parents dream of: She was kind. She made people feel comfortable. She made them feel loved and wanted. She truly cared about others. She was especially kind to the elderly and those less fortunate."

Nada Robertson said that when Darah died, the laughter died for many.

"I will not let that be her legacy," the mother said. "I will not have people think of Darah and hang their heads, become so consumed with sadness and pity they can't put one foot in front of the other. ... I don't want Darah's life to be about her death. I want it to be about her -- her personality, her love, her kindness, her joking, her compassion."

Moore had attempted suicide recently and spent eight days hospitalized. Nada Robertson didn't want two lives wasted, she said later.

"I do not want jail time for Mr. Moore," she told the judge. "In light of everything, I think it would be more meaningful and healing for everyone, for Mr. Moore to do some type of community service in lieu of jail. To do something positive, to honor Darah by helping others."

Joy Powell • 952-882-9017