Last Sunday a couple is out for a nice ride in the beautiful weather this fall on their motorcycle. They both are wearing helmets and leathers. They are on a country road doing the speed limit. A 20 year old driving a SUV blows thru a stop sign and the couple on the motorcycle T-bone the SUV. The driver of the motorcycle is dead instantly. His wife was hurt bad, severed leg and blood loss, she is flight for life air lifted and went thru emergency surgery but lost the fight and died a few hours later.
The driver of the SUV was tested for drugs and alcohol and tested negative. The driver of the SUV was charged with 2 accounts of failure to yeild causing death, which according to newspaper reports and news reports will be raised.
The average sentencing (the sentence varies from case to case) for vehicular homicid in Wisconsin is $25,000 and 10 years in prison per account. If they raise it to neglect vehicular homicid the average sentence doubles.
If you were on the jury or the judge what would you sentence him?
I hate sending a kid (which, despite the law, is all most 20 year olds are) to jail for 20-40 years for a stupid mistake like this. I mean, I've accidentally run two STOP signs in my 13 years on the road... there was no harm done, but there just as easily could have been.
On the other hand, two people are dead, and, while you can't bring them back, you can set an example to try and keep other people from dicking around on the road and killing others.
Maybe a few years in minimum security followed by a few years with a suspended license? I really don't know. All I do know is that the guy should be punished for killing two people, but shouldn't have to spend decades in prison for not paying attention.
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redthirst is redthirst, fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse. He was the leader of the Fires of Salvation, the only clan I'm aware of to get modded off the forums so hard they made their own forums.
Degenerate? Sure. Loudmouth? You bet. Law abiding? No ****ing way.
If you were on the jury or the judge what would you sentence him?
I'd sentence him to whatever the appropriate sentence was based on the facts of the case.
There's not really anything else that can be said there. The state has sentencing guidelines that the Judge will apply based on the facts of the case. Its pretty impossible to make a sentence now.
As for your described situation, if that was all the hypothetical facts and I had to sentence the SUV driver I'd probably go somewhat lenient on him and impose a sentence more toward the bottom of the sentencing guidelines because theres nothing to indicate that he was callous or that this wasn't an isolated accident. Lets be honest, the vast majority of people in the SUV driver's position would be so wracked with guilt that any "punishment" you impose on them via the court would be effectively dwarfed by the punishment they impose on themselves.
Based on the limited information, the full amount, 10 years. There is no excuse for running a damn stop sign, especially entering onto another road that doesn't have a stop sign. People who do that are a ****ing hazard. I see far too many young people doing it regularly.
This is exactly whom this law was designed for, and who am I to countermand the wishes of the legislature and the people?
Of course the devil is often in the details so there might be circumstances to soften my stance.
Oct 10th, 2011by Darren Hillock. 5 comments David Novaez, known almost universally at Central High School as Capt. Novaez, at last year's Veteran's Day ceremony, at the school.
The identities of a motorcycle driver and passenger who died as a result of a crash Sunday in Wheatland have been released by the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department.
The driver of the motorcycle was David A. Novaez, 48. The passenger on the motorcycle was Kristin Novaez, 36. The married couple were residents of Wheatland.
At about 2:50 p.m., Sunday, sheriff’s deputies and fire and rescue personnel responded to a report of crash at the intersection of Highway P (400th Avenue) at 396th Avenue in Wheatland. A Chevy Blazer pulled out from the stop sign at Highway P into the path of a the motorcycle, which was northbound on Highway P, said Sgt. Bill Beth, Sheriff’s Department spokesman.
Mr. Novaez died immediately. Mrs. Novaez did survive for some time before dying.
The driver of the Chevy Blazer was Ralph Johnson, 20, of Wheatland. There is no suspicion of alcohol or other drug use by Johnson, Beth said. Johnson did submit to a legal blood test in order to show that he had not been consuming alcohol or drugs.
Johnson was cited for Failure to Yield Right of Way Causing Death and Failure to Yield Right of Way Causing Injury. The second citation will be updated to Failure to Yield Right of Way Causing Death, due to the death of Mrs. Novaez, Beth said.
David Novaez was a teacher at Central High School in Paddock Lake. He was the keynote speaker at last year’s Central High School Veteran’s Day ceremony. Video of some of the speech can be seen here.
UPDATE 10:07 a.m. — Central High School administration issued the following statement:
We are saddened by the news of the loss of one of our Central High School family members, Mr. David Novaez, German Teacher. Mr. Novaez was killed in a motorcycle accident yesterday afternoon in western Kenosha County. Tragically, his wife Kristen, who was a passenger on the motorcycle, ultimately succumbed to her injuries. Kristin Novaez was a choral teacher at Union Grove High School. Mr. Novaez was employed with the Central High School District beginning in the fall of 2007. His teaching assignment at the time of his death was German Instructor for German I, II, III, IV and V. Mr. Novaez also served as a resource for Limited English speaking (LEP) students. Mr. Novaez supported the students in his non-classroom time as a forensics coach and class advisor. No information is yet available on services for Mr. and Mrs. Novaez. Our hearts and prayers are extended to the family members of Mr. Dave and Kristen Novaez and their family at this very tragic time.”
Today in the Kenosha news it said the charges would be raised, but you have to pay to get full articles on-line thru them. I have not seen anywhere else say they are raising the charges.
Couple things, The SUV driver was a student of Captians, The couple had no children. Not sure if any of that would effect anyones stance.
Its an actual real occurance that happened this past sunday.
right. I understood that, but the information you provided is nowhere near the whole story. So in order to provide any meaningful answer I had to treat it as a hypothetical where what you did provide was the whole story.
right. I understood that, but the information you provided is nowhere near the whole story. So in order to provide any meaningful answer I had to treat it as a hypothetical where what you did provide was the whole story.
I understand that, thats why I found the story and posted it.
I am real close to this and find myself not thinking straight when I hear people talking about what the 20 year old should get with in the community.
I wanted some objective views form people that were not effected by this event directly.
I understand that, thats why I found the story and posted it.
Even that isn't anywhere near the whole story. It's pretty much impossible to make any kind of educated guess on how sentencing should go without seeing the trial itself.
Several factors influence it that are not only "unknown" but are also "unknowable" at this point.
Because your a biker, or because its your community? (this is just curiosity)
I have broke bread with the man and his wife multiple times, he taught my oldest son for 4 years and wrote his college recomendation, he taught my daughter last year and the month or so this year, My family has done things with his family outside of school activities. I have ridden next to him on our motorcycles. I could keep going, but its pissing me off thinking about (sorry being honest).
I have broke bread with the man and his wife multiple times, he taught my oldest son for 4 years and wrote his college recomendation, he taught my daughter last year and the month or so this year, My family has done things with his family outside of school activities. I have ridden next to him on our motorcycles. I could keep going, but its pissing me off thinking about (sorry being honest).
Like I said, I am real close to this.
Right, so you knew the man personally and he was a friend. It's understandable to be upset, it's also commendable to recognize you're upset and that you can't be unbiased about it.
All that aside, like I said theres just so many unknowns and unknowable's at this point that its impossible to determine if the kid deserves any leniency or not.
Case in point: how does he handle himself at trial. Does he appear remorseful, does he appear to regret what he did? Or, does he seem cavalier, flippant, and not care.
That has a huge impact on how he should be sentenced, but its just impossible to know at this point.
Case in point: how does he handle himself at trial. Does he appear remorseful, does he appear to regret what he did? Or, does he seem cavalier, flippant, and not care.
That has a huge impact on how he should be sentenced, but its just impossible to know at this point.
I really hate this "how does he seem" thing. A person could be numb to the circumstances and just because they aren't crying thier eyes out at the fact they screwed up, doesn't mean that they aren't waking up from the nightmares.
Our laws don't really have a good "punishment" for this type of thing.
Making an example of him by giving him 20 doesn't really keep kids from making bad decisions about running stop signs but it does ruin his life.
Give him 1-3 + Probation and perhaps let him do some PR events while hes on probation. Telling his story might get a few kids to pay more attention when they are behind the wheel. That would be a lot better than this guy getting burried in the prison system.
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The whole situation just plain sucks. This sounds like one of those times where everyone on all sides wants things to be "fixed", but there isn't much of a fair outcome to be found one way or another here.
True, there's not really a fair outcome to a cold-blooded murder either, but at least in that case we would all have no qualms saying lock him up and throw away the key.
Without actually sitting through the trial, my inclination is to be very, very lenient with this 20 year old, relative to the maximum sentence he could receive. He probably didn't run the sign willfully, and that makes him less liable IMO than if he did something REALLY stupid (like driving under the influence.)
Couple things, The SUV driver was a student of Captians, The couple had no children. Not sure if any of that would effect anyones stance.
Not in the slightest! Victim or perpetrator, justice should be completely blind as to a person's relations, lot in life, etc.
The only exception I could think of it is if the perpetrator has been convicted of the same crime over and over again, that certainly makes it relevant as to sentencing (though not judgement, perhaps.)
Hard to see a scenario where id want less than a minimum he should have 3 years and license permanently revoked. It's not just an accident. It's not speeding a little over. It's driving through a stop sign onto a larger road and killing 2 people.
He made a deadly mistake, and killed two officers with families.
He was sentenced to 660 hours of community service.
As tragic as this case with the motorcycle riders is, I'd hesitate to be severe in punishment.
Throwing him in prison for 20 years is NOT going to "set an example".
You can give this kid the death penalty and the next day someone will blow a stop sign.
My condolences to the friends and families of the two killed.
I wish this was a rare occurance, unfortunately, it happens more than twice a day.
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“Thus strangely are our souls constructed, and by slight ligaments
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Well getting back to the earlier thread about 4-6 months back where the guy who obviously ran the stop sign, *****ing he shouldn't have gotten a fine, maybe guys like HIM should have gotten their license revoked for 6 months.
Prevent more events like this. I see these ****ers do his slipshod driving on a regular basis, and then when people die from it, everybody wants to go lenient.
Well either severely punish the stop sign runners with suspension and vicious fines when they do it normally, or punish severely with prison time when harm to people is done like here.
Seems too many ****ups who drive like **** want it both ways, and go easy on the regular moving violations, and want to go easy even when 2 people are killed because of your disregard for others' safety.
I would give the offender a lighter punishment than 20 years in prison on the basis he is unlikely to be an irredeemable criminal and danger to the community. It's not cold blooded murder, it's a terrible, terrible mistake and the offender should serve some jail time. Putting him away for 20 years or more serves nothing except a desire for revenge. Especially if the individual in question isn't a repeat offender.
Justice demands that carelessness be punished, but utterly destroying a third life with decades in prison will not resurrect the dead. I agree with the_cardfather on this one.
If there are no drugs and alcohol involved, no reckless driving, and no police pursuit I dont see the justification for the sentence. The reason the man died has as much to do with the inherent danger of automobiles (and motorcycles I might add) as it does with the behavior of the drivers. I dont see the excessive punishment for these kind of situations changing behavior or the human tendency to err.
What needs to change is the mode of transportation. There is no reason someone needs to lose their life because of a simple mistake while from getting from point a to point b.
I really don't even see what someone dying has to do with the punishment, assuming the driver accidently ran the stop sign. Anytime anyone runs a stop sign someone could die. That's why it's illegal! Sometimes there's a vehicle there, sometimes there isn't. Sometimes a run stop sign results in an accident, sometimes it results in fatalities, sometimes it results in a near-miss, sometimes it doesn't result in anything. Had the motorcycle been running a minute behind and the driver went through the intersection with nothing happening, I don't see why any lesser of a punishment should be handed out by the justice system.
I dunno, does that sound callous? I guess I just see the justice system as a means to protect society. The person who runs a stop sign and doesn't happen to kill anyone is just as dangerous to others in the future as the person who does happen to kill someone.
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"For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love." --Carl Sagan
If you can drive, you've run a stop sign. I've done it once, my mother has done it once, and so has my friend all while I was in the car, and every time it was done without realizing they had done it. To top it off, every time it was the passenger that noticed the stop sign had been run. So how many times have people run stop signs without realizing it? If he can prove he had not realized he had run a stop sign, and then had stayed on the scene to help he did everything he could in the situation given, and a punishment that harsh is just too harsh. I'd say at worse a ****load of community service and a hefty fine is in order, but a long term prison sentence is a pretty harsh thing to do for such a brief moment of ignorance.
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"I've always been a fan of reality by popular vote" - Stephen Colbert (in response to Don McLeroy)
Based on the limited information, the full amount, 10 years. There is no excuse for running a damn stop sign, especially entering onto another road that doesn't have a stop sign. People who do that are a ****ing hazard. I see far too many young people doing it regularly.
This is exactly whom this law was designed for, and who am I to countermand the wishes of the legislature and the people?
QFT. People who make the "he's only a kid argument" clearly fail to understand the concept of over 18 being a legal adult, aka fully responsible and accountable under the law.
That being said, the full allowable sentence is not necessarily the right correct sentence. But going soft on him is not the way to serve justice.
bighaben is right. If you have driven a car for more than 2 years, you've run a stop sign. It was probably on accident. You probably didn't realize it was there. But then, this guy probably could say the same thing(s).
I hate cases like this. His crime was, simply, running a stop sign. It is unfortunate that he also hit a couple of people on a motorcycle, but that doesn't actually change was his original crime was.
At the same time, something more than just the normal punishment for blowing a stop sign is necessary here. I just don't think 20 years in jail time is the answer. This kid will be haunted by his actions for the rest of his life. A ton of jail time would only make that worse. All of the jail time in the world is not going to A)influence whether or not this kid blows through another stop sign(you can be more or less positive that will never happen again), B)deter anyone else from running a stop sign or C)bring back dead people.
I think that 5 years probation/suspended license and restitution payments to the injured wife is fair in a case like this. Obviously if it comes out that the kid was on a cell phone(especially if he was texting) while this happened, that would make things radically different. But I imagine that details like that would already be all over the news.
If there are no drugs and alcohol involved, no reckless driving, and no police pursuit I dont see the justification for the sentence. The reason the man died has as much to do with the inherent danger of automobiles (and motorcycles I might add) as it does with the behavior of the drivers. I dont see the excessive punishment for these kind of situations changing behavior or the human tendency to err.
And yet, considering he was in a 'normal' state of mind when he did something illegal that resulted in the deaths of two people means there is nothing to blame but his own negligence. Sure, a decade in prison may ruin his life such as it currently is but I'd not want to see less than that from him.
And yet, considering he was in a 'normal' state of mind when he did something illegal that resulted in the deaths of two people means there is nothing to blame but his own negligence.
My point was that the deaths are a result of other factors in addition to the behavior of the driver, ie the inherent danger of driving automobiles. Punishing the driver wont change the fact that cars kill people.
I think that 5 years probation/suspended license and restitution payments to the injured wife is fair in a case like this. Obviously if it comes out that the kid was on a cell phone(especially if he was texting) while this happened, that would make things radically different. But I imagine that details like that would already be all over the news.
Just to clarify the wife was killed also in the crash. She had her leg severed in the crash and was air lifted to Milwaukee for emergency surgery. She died later from complications.
Being as close to the situation and people involved I initially wanted the book thrown at him and the stiffest penalty possible. There is a group petitioning for him to not be punished, reason being he will have to live with it the rest of his life. This stance angers me. Why have courtrooms, judges, and lawyers if we are going to not punish people for breaking the law. I am not saying he should get 20-40 years or even the maxed out fine of $50,000 to $100,000. But he deserves some type of punishment and you all have proven to me my feelings are correct.
My point was that the deaths are a result of other factors in addition to the behavior of the driver, ie the inherent danger of driving automobiles. Your response only follows if you missed my point.
I get that there's another point there. Someone in the United States dies from a motor vehicle accident about once every 15 minutes, more than any other 'accidental' cause. How many of those are from negligence? How many of those annual 40k or so people would still be here but for 'simple mistakes' made in a moving vehicle? I don't have the numbers for that particular metric but I'd hazard that the motor-vehicle deaths cause by sudden equipment failure are less than 10% of that number. Driving is too 'normal' an activity, and, as the fable goes, familiarity breeds contempt. People do not give proper attention to the road, the vehicles, the rules, or other drivers. This is more than apparent in how dismissive people are of someone running a stop sign.
Being as close to the situation and people involved I initially wanted the book thrown at him and the stiffest penalty possible. There is a group petitioning for him to not be punished, reason being he will have to live with it the rest of his life. This stance angers me. Why have courtrooms, judges, and lawyers if we are going to not punish people for breaking the law. I am not saying he should get 20-40 years or even the maxed out fine of $50,000 to $100,000. But he deserves some type of punishment and you all have proven to me my feelings are correct.
As someone who doesn't feel guilt quite like a normal person you are correct to be angered. Some people are affected by their actions upon others way more than others.
The driver of the SUV was tested for drugs and alcohol and tested negative. The driver of the SUV was charged with 2 accounts of failure to yeild causing death, which according to newspaper reports and news reports will be raised.
The average sentencing (the sentence varies from case to case) for vehicular homicid in Wisconsin is $25,000 and 10 years in prison per account. If they raise it to neglect vehicular homicid the average sentence doubles.
If you were on the jury or the judge what would you sentence him?
I hate sending a kid (which, despite the law, is all most 20 year olds are) to jail for 20-40 years for a stupid mistake like this. I mean, I've accidentally run two STOP signs in my 13 years on the road... there was no harm done, but there just as easily could have been.
On the other hand, two people are dead, and, while you can't bring them back, you can set an example to try and keep other people from dicking around on the road and killing others.
Maybe a few years in minimum security followed by a few years with a suspended license? I really don't know. All I do know is that the guy should be punished for killing two people, but shouldn't have to spend decades in prison for not paying attention.
—Jaya Ballard, task mage
I'd sentence him to whatever the appropriate sentence was based on the facts of the case.
There's not really anything else that can be said there. The state has sentencing guidelines that the Judge will apply based on the facts of the case. Its pretty impossible to make a sentence now.
As for your described situation, if that was all the hypothetical facts and I had to sentence the SUV driver I'd probably go somewhat lenient on him and impose a sentence more toward the bottom of the sentencing guidelines because theres nothing to indicate that he was callous or that this wasn't an isolated accident. Lets be honest, the vast majority of people in the SUV driver's position would be so wracked with guilt that any "punishment" you impose on them via the court would be effectively dwarfed by the punishment they impose on themselves.
This is exactly whom this law was designed for, and who am I to countermand the wishes of the legislature and the people?
Of course the devil is often in the details so there might be circumstances to soften my stance.
http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/131448153.html
Different source.
Today in the Kenosha news it said the charges would be raised, but you have to pay to get full articles on-line thru them. I have not seen anywhere else say they are raising the charges.
Couple things, The SUV driver was a student of Captians, The couple had no children. Not sure if any of that would effect anyones stance.
right. I understood that, but the information you provided is nowhere near the whole story. So in order to provide any meaningful answer I had to treat it as a hypothetical where what you did provide was the whole story.
I understand that, thats why I found the story and posted it.
I am real close to this and find myself not thinking straight when I hear people talking about what the 20 year old should get with in the community.
I wanted some objective views form people that were not effected by this event directly.
Even that isn't anywhere near the whole story. It's pretty much impossible to make any kind of educated guess on how sentencing should go without seeing the trial itself.
Several factors influence it that are not only "unknown" but are also "unknowable" at this point.
Because your a biker, or because its your community? (this is just curiosity)
Right, I just think its pretty much impossible to make a meaningful sentencing judgment without seeing the trial and the evidence.
I have broke bread with the man and his wife multiple times, he taught my oldest son for 4 years and wrote his college recomendation, he taught my daughter last year and the month or so this year, My family has done things with his family outside of school activities. I have ridden next to him on our motorcycles. I could keep going, but its pissing me off thinking about (sorry being honest).
Like I said, I am real close to this.
Right, so you knew the man personally and he was a friend. It's understandable to be upset, it's also commendable to recognize you're upset and that you can't be unbiased about it.
All that aside, like I said theres just so many unknowns and unknowable's at this point that its impossible to determine if the kid deserves any leniency or not.
Case in point: how does he handle himself at trial. Does he appear remorseful, does he appear to regret what he did? Or, does he seem cavalier, flippant, and not care.
That has a huge impact on how he should be sentenced, but its just impossible to know at this point.
I really hate this "how does he seem" thing. A person could be numb to the circumstances and just because they aren't crying thier eyes out at the fact they screwed up, doesn't mean that they aren't waking up from the nightmares.
Our laws don't really have a good "punishment" for this type of thing.
Making an example of him by giving him 20 doesn't really keep kids from making bad decisions about running stop signs but it does ruin his life.
Give him 1-3 + Probation and perhaps let him do some PR events while hes on probation. Telling his story might get a few kids to pay more attention when they are behind the wheel. That would be a lot better than this guy getting burried in the prison system.
True, there's not really a fair outcome to a cold-blooded murder either, but at least in that case we would all have no qualms saying lock him up and throw away the key.
Without actually sitting through the trial, my inclination is to be very, very lenient with this 20 year old, relative to the maximum sentence he could receive. He probably didn't run the sign willfully, and that makes him less liable IMO than if he did something REALLY stupid (like driving under the influence.)
Again, would need to see the trial.
Not in the slightest! Victim or perpetrator, justice should be completely blind as to a person's relations, lot in life, etc.
The only exception I could think of it is if the perpetrator has been convicted of the same crime over and over again, that certainly makes it relevant as to sentencing (though not judgement, perhaps.)
Details matter, bit only so much
He made a deadly mistake, and killed two officers with families.
He was sentenced to 660 hours of community service.
As tragic as this case with the motorcycle riders is, I'd hesitate to be severe in punishment.
Throwing him in prison for 20 years is NOT going to "set an example".
You can give this kid the death penalty and the next day someone will blow a stop sign.
My condolences to the friends and families of the two killed.
I wish this was a rare occurance, unfortunately, it happens more than twice a day.
Thanks to Xenphire @ Inkfox for the amazing new sig
“Thus strangely are our souls constructed, and by slight ligaments
are we bound to prosperity and ruin.”
― Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
Prevent more events like this. I see these ****ers do his slipshod driving on a regular basis, and then when people die from it, everybody wants to go lenient.
Well either severely punish the stop sign runners with suspension and vicious fines when they do it normally, or punish severely with prison time when harm to people is done like here.
Seems too many ****ups who drive like **** want it both ways, and go easy on the regular moving violations, and want to go easy even when 2 people are killed because of your disregard for others' safety.
Justice demands that carelessness be punished, but utterly destroying a third life with decades in prison will not resurrect the dead. I agree with the_cardfather on this one.
What needs to change is the mode of transportation. There is no reason someone needs to lose their life because of a simple mistake while from getting from point a to point b.
I dunno, does that sound callous? I guess I just see the justice system as a means to protect society. The person who runs a stop sign and doesn't happen to kill anyone is just as dangerous to others in the future as the person who does happen to kill someone.
"I've always been a fan of reality by popular vote" - Stephen Colbert (in response to Don McLeroy)
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QFT. People who make the "he's only a kid argument" clearly fail to understand the concept of over 18 being a legal adult, aka fully responsible and accountable under the law.
That being said, the full allowable sentence is not necessarily the right correct sentence. But going soft on him is not the way to serve justice.
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I hate cases like this. His crime was, simply, running a stop sign. It is unfortunate that he also hit a couple of people on a motorcycle, but that doesn't actually change was his original crime was.
At the same time, something more than just the normal punishment for blowing a stop sign is necessary here. I just don't think 20 years in jail time is the answer. This kid will be haunted by his actions for the rest of his life. A ton of jail time would only make that worse. All of the jail time in the world is not going to A)influence whether or not this kid blows through another stop sign(you can be more or less positive that will never happen again), B)deter anyone else from running a stop sign or C)bring back dead people.
I think that 5 years probation/suspended license and restitution payments to the injured wife is fair in a case like this. Obviously if it comes out that the kid was on a cell phone(especially if he was texting) while this happened, that would make things radically different. But I imagine that details like that would already be all over the news.
And yet, considering he was in a 'normal' state of mind when he did something illegal that resulted in the deaths of two people means there is nothing to blame but his own negligence. Sure, a decade in prison may ruin his life such as it currently is but I'd not want to see less than that from him.
My point was that the deaths are a result of other factors in addition to the behavior of the driver, ie the inherent danger of driving automobiles. Punishing the driver wont change the fact that cars kill people.
Just to clarify the wife was killed also in the crash. She had her leg severed in the crash and was air lifted to Milwaukee for emergency surgery. She died later from complications.
Being as close to the situation and people involved I initially wanted the book thrown at him and the stiffest penalty possible. There is a group petitioning for him to not be punished, reason being he will have to live with it the rest of his life. This stance angers me. Why have courtrooms, judges, and lawyers if we are going to not punish people for breaking the law. I am not saying he should get 20-40 years or even the maxed out fine of $50,000 to $100,000. But he deserves some type of punishment and you all have proven to me my feelings are correct.
I get that there's another point there. Someone in the United States dies from a motor vehicle accident about once every 15 minutes, more than any other 'accidental' cause. How many of those are from negligence? How many of those annual 40k or so people would still be here but for 'simple mistakes' made in a moving vehicle? I don't have the numbers for that particular metric but I'd hazard that the motor-vehicle deaths cause by sudden equipment failure are less than 10% of that number. Driving is too 'normal' an activity, and, as the fable goes, familiarity breeds contempt. People do not give proper attention to the road, the vehicles, the rules, or other drivers. This is more than apparent in how dismissive people are of someone running a stop sign.
As someone who doesn't feel guilt quite like a normal person you are correct to be angered. Some people are affected by their actions upon others way more than others.