Defendant sentenced to 40 years
USA - The man responsible for plowing into a group of nine bicyclists, killing five, was sentenced to prison Monday. Charles Pickett Jr., 52, was sentenced by Kalamazoo County Circuit Court Judge Paul J. Bridenstine Monday, June 11, to 40 to 75 years in prison for the June 7, 2016 crash. Bridenstine sentenced Pickett to 35 to 55 years for each of five counts of murder, to be served concurrently, and 8 to 15 years for each count of operating while under the influence causing death. Bridenstine also handed down a sentence of 3 to 5 years on each of four counts of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury, to be served concurrent to all other sentences. The judge ordered each count of operating while under the influence causing death be served consecutively, but concurrent to the other sentences. With a term of 8-15 years on each of the five counts, Pickett will serve a total prison term of at least 40 years. Pickett is entitled to 734 days for time served, Bridenstine said. With the minimum sentence and the time served credit, Pickett won’t be eligible for parole until he’s at least 90 years old.
“The loss is massive and immeasurable,” Bridenstine said.
Bridenstine said Pickett had many chances to stop driving that day, and noted several witnesses reported narrowly escaping crashes with him. “You selfishly and unnecessarily murdered five people and altered the lives of four others,” Bridenstine said before handing down the sentence.
Crash survivor Jennifer Johnson said she lost one of her best friends, Fevig Hughes in the crash. She said in 2014 they hiked the highest mountain in Colorado together and two years later, she couldn’t take a step in physical therapy without breaking down from the physical and emotional pain.
“I am riding again, but only with a group,” Johnson said. “I find myself holding my breath as people pass.” Johnson said the tragedy deserves justice.
“Where is your remorse, where is your suffering?” she asked Pickett.
When it was his turn to speak, Pickett apologized to the victims’ families and then sobbed.
“I’m very sorry,” Pickett said. “I wish this tragedy had never happened. There’s nothing I can do to ever take it back. I’ll live with this the rest of my life. I would give my life for the people that got murdered or killed and maimed and everything else. I just want to say I’m sorry. That’s it.” Pickett broke down in sobs as he finished his statement. Bridenstine called Pickett’s remorse inadequate.
(Mlive)