Fatal car crash victim’s family helps defendant responsible for crash
By Brittany Grove
Sun Staff Writer
bgrove@evesun.com
NORWICH –Judge Frank B. Revoir Jr. presided over Chenango County Court on Nov. 22. Revoir postponed sentencing for one year for a defendant who caused a one-car fatal accident.
Ryan V. Lewis, 22, Afton, pleaded guilty to the class E felony of vehicular assault in the third degree and the class A misdemeanor of driving while intoxicated. Family and friends took up half of the back row in the courtroom in support of Lewis.
New York State Police arrested Lewis after an investigation into a one-car fatal accident that occurred in the town of Afton on Feb. 25 at approximately 2:20 a.m. While traveling north on Afton Lake Rd., Lewis lost control of his 2006 Subaru Impreza while attempting to negotiate the curve in the road. Lewis' vehicle exited the roadway and struck a tree on the passenger side.
Joelyn L. Sines, 24, Harpursville, was in the front passenger seat during the impact. Sines was pronounced deceased at the scene by Chenango County Medical Examiner David Hochmann.
Backseat passengers, Mitchell D. Birch, 22, Afton, and Caleb J. Gregory, 22, Afton, were transported to Wilson Regional Medical Center in Johnson City and remained in stable condition.
Lewis was originally charged with vehicular manslaughter in the second degree and driving while intoxicated. He was also transported to Wilson Regional Medical Center and was treated for non-life threatening injuries. Lewis is currently under the care of a doctor for counseling and mental health purposes.
Lewis testified that, because of intoxication, he did operate a vehicle in such a manner that it caused serious physical injury to another person. He also testified that he had a BAC of .08 percent or more. Lewis's BAC was .12 percent of one percent of alcohol.
A couple of Lewis's friends and family began to cry when he pleaded guilty to the charges. They also hugged each other and verbally comforted one another.
Judge Revoir placed Lewis on one year of interim probation for both counts, which are to be served concurrently. Revoir said that Lewis can be sentenced up to “anything” if he fails to comply with interim probation.
If Lewis does successfully complete interim probation, his plea of guilty to the felony charge will be withdrawn, and he will be charged with a misdemeanor in its place. At that time, he would be sentenced to misdemeanor probation and up to 60 days of weekends in jail.
The court signed an order for Lewis to be eligible for a conditional license. Revoir granted the conditional license, subject to the commissioner's approval. If Lewis's conditional license is approved, he will be allowed to use it to drive to work, school, probation, alcohol and drug therapy sessions and any mental health or medical appointments. The conditional license requires that Lewis enter the ignition interlock program. He will be responsible to pay 50 percent of the costs for the ignition interlock program.
After sentencing, Judge Revoir looked at Lewis and said, “Good luck, Mr. Lewis. Be appreciative of your attorney. You have a lot of people in your corner and I am aware that this disposition had a lot to do with the cooperation and participation of the defendant’s and victim’s families ... The victim’s family has supported you. That is unique. That has been factored in. Work hard and good luck.”
Some of the friends and family in the back row sobbed after the Judge's statement. They walked Lewis out of the courtroom, hugging him and putting their hands on him in support.
Sun Staff Writer
bgrove@evesun.com
NORWICH –Judge Frank B. Revoir Jr. presided over Chenango County Court on Nov. 22. Revoir postponed sentencing for one year for a defendant who caused a one-car fatal accident.
Ryan V. Lewis, 22, Afton, pleaded guilty to the class E felony of vehicular assault in the third degree and the class A misdemeanor of driving while intoxicated. Family and friends took up half of the back row in the courtroom in support of Lewis.
New York State Police arrested Lewis after an investigation into a one-car fatal accident that occurred in the town of Afton on Feb. 25 at approximately 2:20 a.m. While traveling north on Afton Lake Rd., Lewis lost control of his 2006 Subaru Impreza while attempting to negotiate the curve in the road. Lewis' vehicle exited the roadway and struck a tree on the passenger side.
Joelyn L. Sines, 24, Harpursville, was in the front passenger seat during the impact. Sines was pronounced deceased at the scene by Chenango County Medical Examiner David Hochmann.
Backseat passengers, Mitchell D. Birch, 22, Afton, and Caleb J. Gregory, 22, Afton, were transported to Wilson Regional Medical Center in Johnson City and remained in stable condition.
Lewis was originally charged with vehicular manslaughter in the second degree and driving while intoxicated. He was also transported to Wilson Regional Medical Center and was treated for non-life threatening injuries. Lewis is currently under the care of a doctor for counseling and mental health purposes.
Lewis testified that, because of intoxication, he did operate a vehicle in such a manner that it caused serious physical injury to another person. He also testified that he had a BAC of .08 percent or more. Lewis's BAC was .12 percent of one percent of alcohol.
A couple of Lewis's friends and family began to cry when he pleaded guilty to the charges. They also hugged each other and verbally comforted one another.
Judge Revoir placed Lewis on one year of interim probation for both counts, which are to be served concurrently. Revoir said that Lewis can be sentenced up to “anything” if he fails to comply with interim probation.
If Lewis does successfully complete interim probation, his plea of guilty to the felony charge will be withdrawn, and he will be charged with a misdemeanor in its place. At that time, he would be sentenced to misdemeanor probation and up to 60 days of weekends in jail.
The court signed an order for Lewis to be eligible for a conditional license. Revoir granted the conditional license, subject to the commissioner's approval. If Lewis's conditional license is approved, he will be allowed to use it to drive to work, school, probation, alcohol and drug therapy sessions and any mental health or medical appointments. The conditional license requires that Lewis enter the ignition interlock program. He will be responsible to pay 50 percent of the costs for the ignition interlock program.
After sentencing, Judge Revoir looked at Lewis and said, “Good luck, Mr. Lewis. Be appreciative of your attorney. You have a lot of people in your corner and I am aware that this disposition had a lot to do with the cooperation and participation of the defendant’s and victim’s families ... The victim’s family has supported you. That is unique. That has been factored in. Work hard and good luck.”
Some of the friends and family in the back row sobbed after the Judge's statement. They walked Lewis out of the courtroom, hugging him and putting their hands on him in support.
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