Posted on 03/23/2010 11:26:42 AM PDT by raccoonradio
The family of a Saugus woman killed last year by a teen who fell asleep at the wheel after drinking at a post-prom party today blasted the state for lax sentencing laws after the driver was sentenced to six months in jail.
“It’s like your life in this state is absolutely worth zero,” said Charlotte Marean, 43, who was critically injured in the May 16, 2009 accident that killed her mother, Carol, 67. “They could take any one of you out.”
Jonathan Caruso, 19, of Saugus, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation. Lynn District Court Judge Michael C. Lauranzano ordered him to serve six months of the maximum two-and-a-half-year sentence. He suspended the remainder of the sentence for four years.
Caruso was also ordered to complete four years probation on a felony count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and serve a concurrent six-month jail sentence for one count of being a minor transporting alcohol.
Lauranzano imposed his sentence after an emotional hearing before a packed courtroom of school children on a field trip. Marean, her sister, Michelle, father Vincent, and family friend Kim Gannon gave statements describing the suffering, pain and financial distress they’ve faced because of the accident. Lauranzano called the case the most difficult he’s faced in his 10 years as a judge.
Prosecutors say Caruso fell asleep at the wheel and drove his Chevy Sedan up onto the sidewalk at the intersection of Grove and Essex streets in Saugus, fatally striking Carol Marean and critically wounding Charlotte while they were walking their dog, Happy.
Essex County Assistant District Attorney Michael Patten said Caruso and several friends went to Nahant Beach and drank several beers after attending the Saugus prom and after-party. A Breathalyzer test taken after the crash found Caruso had a blood alcohol level of .02 and blood tests did not detect alcohol in his system, Patten said. He was not charged with drunk driving, Lauranzano said.
“I truly apologize from the bottom of my heart,” Caruso told Marean’s grieving family. “There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of this incident. I’m so sorry and I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me.”
Three other teens have pleaded guilty to alcohol possession-related charges in connection to the case. Court records show the teens were either put on probation or had their cases continued without a finding.
Vincent Marean, of Colorado, said the sentencing laws amount to a slap on the wrist for drivers convicted of misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide.
“How many more people have to die before they do something,” he asked. “I’m glad he didn’t walk out of here a free man. He walked out in handcuffs. He earned them.”
Maxson, who is studying marketing at Salem State College, had previous incidents: pot possession, speeding, and public drinking next to a police station (one of his pals went in to report a hit-run accident and the teens Christopher was a part of were spotted behind the hedges next to pol. station parking lot, drinking. Brilliant.)
Maxson is facing various charges before the inevitable slap on the wrist he'll no doubt get.
In the above incident, Saugus High made every effort to make it a sober prom/boat cruise. Then the teens decided to head to the beach and drink themselves silly then drive back home at 7 am or so (after being up for over 24 hrs)
>>Caruso had a blood alcohol level of .02
The limit is .08 but it may have been a few hours since he started drinking...he was definitely up for at least 24 hours straight. The prom/cruise was “sober” but several teens chose to go drinking afterwards
Exactly. The collective does not need you. You are a serf. You are expendable. You are no more important than some little fetus in a womb. Fah!
If, however, an important person were to be injured (ex. someone named Kennedy) then the full weight of the law would come down on the perpetrator.
“A Breathalyzer test taken after the crash found Caruso had a blood alcohol level of .02 and blood tests did not detect alcohol in his system, Patten said. He was not charged with drunk driving, Lauranzano said”
And also... “Prosecutors say Caruso fell asleep at the wheel”
After “drinking themselves silly” I wonder what happened to the alcohol?
Where is there punishment for the crime. Judges are so stuck in the wrong mindset and are not willing to do their job and punish the person who committed the crime.
Don’t do the crime, if you can’t do the time.
In a different case of DUI, a man hit a delivery van and killed the driver of the van. This occurred in the same city/county as with my son. The driver in this case, who killed someone, received less punishment than did my son (60 days in jail, 3 years probation, loss of drivers license for 6 months, no AA classes ((he had prior DUI's)), no DUI classes. His fines were less also). I guess it all depends upon how much you can afford for a good attorney.
The breathalyzer was done several hours after the accident.
Also Caruso allegedly had told a cop he had “like, ten
beers”. They had a case of Bud Light in the trunk, I think.
>>After “drinking themselves silly” I wonder what happened to the alcohol?
Today’s Boston Herald said the breathalyzer test was done in the late afternoon. When was the accident?
7:30 am
Yeah I’d think the alcohol had time to dissipate
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