BUCYRUS—Joseph Wells, 21, of Sandusky, appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday to plead guilty to vehicular homicide charges.
Wells pleaded guilty to one count of vehicular assault and one count of aggravated vehicular homicide. Each are third-degree felonies punishable with up to 36 months in prison.
Wells admitted to being drunk and high on marijuana when his reckless driving resulted in the death of his friend.
Crawford County Common Pleas Judge Sean Leuthold took statements from the state, the victim’s family, defense attorney John Thebes and Wells himself.
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler told the court that this was a sad case. Hoovler told the court that Well’s choices to use marijuana and alcohol had caused the death of a young victim.
“I’m sure everyone here wishes time could go back. Lots of decisions would have been made differently. But the reality of the situation is that they weren’t.” Hoovler said.
Hoovler said Wells got behind the wheel when he should not have been driving.
“By making the decision to use marijuana, getting behind the wheel, and driving the way he was driving, he took the life of a 19-year-old girl. The state does not take joy in the decision to ask for a prison time.” Hoovler said.
The victim’s mother spoke at the sentencing, explaining the trauma her daughter’s death had caused the family. She told the court her daughter and the defendant were friends. She said her daughter was beautiful on the inside and out. She expressed the family’s ongoing despair. She also told the court that her family agreed with the state’s sentence recommendation.
Judge Leuthold addressed the family; “This tears me up to hear. It is so senseless. There’s really nothing I can say. It’s heartbreaking how quickly a young life can be taken. This court has seen way too much of this in a variety of ways, but this is the worst. I understand your pain.” Leuthold said.
Well’s attorney, John Thebes, expressed his condolences to the victim’s family; “I wish you peace. I hope you can find it. I have a child around this age, and I cannot imagine. It’s sad all the way around.” Thebes said.
Wells then asked to address the family. Leuthold directed him to look at him and not the family but to speak to them.
“I am truly sorry for my actions and what they caused. There are no words to describe. I loved her so much. She was like a sister and my best friend.” Wells said.
Judge Leuthold summed the tragic situation up by addressing the courtroom: “This is a strange case. The victim and defendant were friends, and he had ties to the family. He needs to be held accountable, but by the same token, it’s more complicated for you folks. This court sees others who purposely harm and hurt others often without remorse. Those cases are easier to understand. The defendant didn’t mean to cause this horrible tragedy, but he did. The defendant’s behavior, in fact, caused a great deal more harm than most people do purposely.” Leuthold said.
Leuthold sentenced Wells to 12 months in prison on count one and 36 months imprisonment on count two for a total of 48 months in prison.
Wells will receive seven days of jail time credit. Leuthold also ordered Wells to a lifetime driver’s license suspension.