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« Bishop Tobin released from hospital | Today | E. Greenwich man dies in Route 4 crash » December 4, 2006Driver gets 8 years for crash that killed N. Providence teenPROVIDENCE – The driver whose reckless maneuver caused the accident that cut short the life of a North Providence High School student was sentenced this morning to eight years behind bars. Jacob D. Bilodeau, 25, of 16 Vinton St., Providence, tearfully apologized today in Superior Court for the July 19, 2004, accident, which occurred when he cut in front of a Jeep carrying Louis J. Salvatore, 17, and three of his classmates and put his foot on the brakes as they were traveling south on Route 295. “I cannot be more sorry for what happened,” Bilodeau said, addressing Judge Robert D. Krause in a courtroom filled with Salvatore’s friends and family members. “I wish there was something that I could do to mend it. But I can’t. I can only ask for forgiveness. … I will never, ever do anything like that again.” Krause was unmoved. Referring to a sentencing memo prepared by Stephen Regine, the assistant attorney general who prosecuted Bilodeau, Krause noted that on five different occasions the defendant had been stopped for “roaring down the highway at speeds of over 90 miles per hour.” On the night of the accident, Krause told Bilodeau he showed “a wanton disregard for the safety of others and a heedless indifference to the consequences of your actions.” “Frustrated with the exceedingly slow pace” of Salvatore’s vehicle on the Exit 7 on-ramp to Route 295 southbound, the judge said Bilodeau “decided to teach him a lesson” by cutting in front of him and putting his foot on the brakes once both cars were on the highway. The cars were so close Salvatore swerved to avoid crashing into Bilodeau’s car, and in the process lost control of his vehicle, according to trial testimony. -- Journal staff writer John Castellucci Although Bilodeau testified that he had only tapped the brakes to get Salvatore to stop tailgating him, Krause clearly didn’t buy it: “You are, in a word, behind the wheel of a car uncivilized and dangerous,” the judge said. He gave Bilodeau the maximum on both of the charges for which he was convicted – 10 years for reckless driving, death resulting, and 15 years for leaving the scene of an accident – but suspended part of the sentence and ordered that the two terms be served concurrently. The bottom line was a prison term of eight years, as long as the one that Regine sought. Posted by Kate Bramson CommentsLynn | December 4, 2006 5:53 PM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
I think it's great that this guy got 8 years in prison. Now maybe people will think before they allow road rage to get them. Everyone is so angry toward each other these days. Why is everyone so enraged?