Fatal car crash defendant sentenced
NORWICH – After causing the death of his girlfriend and injuring two friends in a one-car drunk driving accident, Ryan V. Lewis, 23, Afton, pleaded guilty to the class E felony of vehicular assault in the third degree and the class A misdemeanor of driving while intoxicated on Nov. 22 of last year.
Lewis appeared in Chenango County Court on Nov. 7 before Judge Frank B. Revoir Jr. after completing one year of interim probation.
In 2013, Lewis was sentenced to one year of concurrent interim probation for both charges against him. He was told he could be sentenced up to “anything” if he did not comply with probation.
If he did successfully complete probation, his plea of guilty to the felony charge would be withdrawn and he would only be left with the misdemeanor. Since he completed interim probation, he is facing probation for the misdemeanor charge and up to 60 days of jail time.
“This case was a tragedy for the victims. The defendant hit black ice and as a result of drinking got into an accident that caused his girlfriend to be deceased and his two friends hurt,” said District Attorney Joseph A. McBride. “The victim's family were torn by the loss of their child and their concern for the defendant.”
It was Feb. 25, 2013 at approximately 2:20 a.m. when Lewis lost control of his 2006 Subaru Impreza. He was traveling north on Afton Lake Road and trying to negotiate a curve in the road when he hit black ice. The 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. She was pronounced dead at the scene by Chenango County Medical Examiner David Hochmann. Backseat passengers, Mitchell D. Birch, 23, Afton, and Caleb J. Gregory, 23, Afton, were transported to Wilson Regional Medical Center in Johnson City and recovered from their injuries.
Lewis was also treated for non-life threatening injuries. His blood alcohol content was .12 of one percent of alcohol. After an investigation by the New York State Police, Lewis was arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter.
McBride said Lewis successfully completed interim probation but that he knew he would be “doing some time” for what he did.
“He drove that car while under the influence. That poor girl died. He will have to live with that the rest of his life,” added McBride.
Lewis's private lawyer, Stephen K. Cornwell Jr., said the incident happened almost two years ago and that there was not any reckless driving. “It was the ice,” added Cornwell.
Cornwell also said one of Lewis's friends and victims was in court and did not want to see Lewis have jail time. Cornwell told Revoir that he has not driven since the accident, has been in counseling and completed his drug and alcohol evaluations.
“He actually was living with the mother of the victim. He has done everything to make sure this doesn't happen again,” said Cornwell.
McBride argued that Lewis should do three months of weekends to think more about what he has done because there was drinking involved. “I ask that because of the severity, judge. When you do certain things, there should be certain consequences,” said McBride.
Corwell said he does not think his client needs to sit in jail to think about what he has done. “He has been thinking about this every single day,” added Cornwell.
Cornwell told the court Lewis has worked at Raymond's Corporation for three years and that he often works Saturdays, indicating it would not be convenient for Lewis to “do weekends.”
Revoir listened to both Cornwell and McBride's arguments and said to Lewis that he could make a statement as well. “I would like to say I am sorry to all the people involved and for all the pain I caused,” said Lewis.
After Lewis's statement, Revoir said Lewis had not had a single slip-up and had done everything required of him. He also said the victim's family was very supportive of Lewis.
“If it was not for the black ice, this may not have happened, but that's our responsibility when we drink. Whether we have one, two or ten, mother nature is out there,” said Revoir.
Revoir vacated Lewis's plea to the vehicular assault felony and dismissed the charge. He sentenced Lewis to three years probation for the misdemeanor. Lewis also had his driving privileges revoked for six more months and after six months, he is to enter into the ignition interlock program for one year.
Lewis was not sentenced to any jail time.
Lewis appeared in Chenango County Court on Nov. 7 before Judge Frank B. Revoir Jr. after completing one year of interim probation.
In 2013, Lewis was sentenced to one year of concurrent interim probation for both charges against him. He was told he could be sentenced up to “anything” if he did not comply with probation.
If he did successfully complete probation, his plea of guilty to the felony charge would be withdrawn and he would only be left with the misdemeanor. Since he completed interim probation, he is facing probation for the misdemeanor charge and up to 60 days of jail time.
“This case was a tragedy for the victims. The defendant hit black ice and as a result of drinking got into an accident that caused his girlfriend to be deceased and his two friends hurt,” said District Attorney Joseph A. McBride. “The victim's family were torn by the loss of their child and their concern for the defendant.”
It was Feb. 25, 2013 at approximately 2:20 a.m. when Lewis lost control of his 2006 Subaru Impreza. He was traveling north on Afton Lake Road and trying to negotiate a curve in the road when he hit black ice. The 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. She was pronounced dead at the scene by Chenango County Medical Examiner David Hochmann. Backseat passengers, Mitchell D. Birch, 23, Afton, and Caleb J. Gregory, 23, Afton, were transported to Wilson Regional Medical Center in Johnson City and recovered from their injuries.
Lewis was also treated for non-life threatening injuries. His blood alcohol content was .12 of one percent of alcohol. After an investigation by the New York State Police, Lewis was arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter.
McBride said Lewis successfully completed interim probation but that he knew he would be “doing some time” for what he did.
“He drove that car while under the influence. That poor girl died. He will have to live with that the rest of his life,” added McBride.
Lewis's private lawyer, Stephen K. Cornwell Jr., said the incident happened almost two years ago and that there was not any reckless driving. “It was the ice,” added Cornwell.
Cornwell also said one of Lewis's friends and victims was in court and did not want to see Lewis have jail time. Cornwell told Revoir that he has not driven since the accident, has been in counseling and completed his drug and alcohol evaluations.
“He actually was living with the mother of the victim. He has done everything to make sure this doesn't happen again,” said Cornwell.
McBride argued that Lewis should do three months of weekends to think more about what he has done because there was drinking involved. “I ask that because of the severity, judge. When you do certain things, there should be certain consequences,” said McBride.
Corwell said he does not think his client needs to sit in jail to think about what he has done. “He has been thinking about this every single day,” added Cornwell.
Cornwell told the court Lewis has worked at Raymond's Corporation for three years and that he often works Saturdays, indicating it would not be convenient for Lewis to “do weekends.”
Revoir listened to both Cornwell and McBride's arguments and said to Lewis that he could make a statement as well. “I would like to say I am sorry to all the people involved and for all the pain I caused,” said Lewis.
After Lewis's statement, Revoir said Lewis had not had a single slip-up and had done everything required of him. He also said the victim's family was very supportive of Lewis.
“If it was not for the black ice, this may not have happened, but that's our responsibility when we drink. Whether we have one, two or ten, mother nature is out there,” said Revoir.
Revoir vacated Lewis's plea to the vehicular assault felony and dismissed the charge. He sentenced Lewis to three years probation for the misdemeanor. Lewis also had his driving privileges revoked for six more months and after six months, he is to enter into the ignition interlock program for one year.
Lewis was not sentenced to any jail time.
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