A 46-year-old man was convicted in February on one count of criminally negligent homicide and two counts of second-degree manslaughter related to a hit-and-run accident that killed a 21-year-old couple and their newborn son. On April 13, he received his sentence: 25 years to life in prison.
The sentence was unusually harsh for this type of case, likely because prosecutors asked the judge to take into consideration the offender’s lengthy criminal record. The events of the accident were also particularly grim. The woman killed was seven months pregnant at the time of the crash, and while doctors were able to deliver the baby boy by C-section, he died the next day in the hospital.
The defendant was reportedly traveling at more than double the speed limit when he struck the livery cab carrying the couple. Rather than staying at the scene to provide assistance and to identify himself in accordance with the law, he fled after looking into the cab. He was arrested several days later in Pennsylvania after a brief investigation.
Most drivers who hurt or kill someone in an accident do not receive such harsh penalties unless they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or if they fled the scene. Hit-and-runs causing injury or death are felonies, which usually carry prison sentences and/or significant fines. This man’s sentence was significantly harsher than most both because of his criminal history and the fact that the judge thought he showed a lack of remorse for his actions. His criminal record includes past convictions of manslaughter, criminal possession of a weapon, and robbery.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a driver who fled the scene, meet with a knowledgeable Brooklyn personal injury attorney at Rubenstein & Rynecki. Call us today at (718) 522-1020 or contact us online.
