Probation Ordered for Aileen Gallo

Aileen Gallo, 76, the wife of winemaker Julio Gallo, pleaded no contest Thursday to manslaughter charges stemming from an auto accident and drew probation plus a small fine.

Santa Clara County Municipal Judge Jerome Brock fined Gallo $2,400, placed her on probation for three years and ordered her to perform 350 hours of volunteer service. Brock also ordered her to make restitution for all uninsured losses incurred by victims in the crash, in which she was driving.

The Gallos were returning to their Modesto home from Pebble Beach on Jan. 2 when their sedan struck a compact car driven by Sharon Kauk, 26, a San Jose special education teacher who was killed in the accident.

Kauk, her husband, Timothy, 27, and 3-month-old son, Matthew, were on their way home after visiting relatives in Los Angeles during the New Year’s holidays. Kauk died at the scene and her son suffered injuries that allegedly resulted in hearing impairment. Timothy Kauk was not seriously injured and was released from a hospital later that week. The Gallos were hospitalized overnight in San Jose Medical Center.

The California Highway Patrol recommended in February that misdemeanor manslaughter charges be filed against Gallo after investigators determined that her car had drifted across the center line and struck Kauk’s vehicle.