Fatal drunken driving case settled 4 years later

Troy resident sentenced for driving under influence causing death

A 4-year-old criminal case over a traffic death that the judge says has a “long and tortured history” finally concluded Tuesday with the defendant sentenced to one year in jail.

Aaron Seagraves, who turns 32 on Friday, received the sentence from Judge James Biernat Jr. in Macomb County Circuit Court for the March 2017 death of Mathew Kesto, 25, of Warren, in a Sterling Heights traffic crash.

Seagraves’ plea to the charge driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol causing death, punishable by up to 15 years in prison, was accepted by Biernat, who stuck to his prior agreement of a oneyear term.

But Biernat warned Seagraves if he has one alcohol violation during his four years probation, he will sentence him to multiple years in state prison.

Seagraves, a Troy resident, was the driver of a Ford F-150 in March 2017 that collided head-on with a vehicle on Ryan Road near Metropolitan Parkway that was carrying passenger Mathew Kesto, 25, of Warren, who was killed.

The case has been drawn out due to various delays and court restrictions under COVID-19. Seagraves has twice pleaded in the case, first to the same charge in October 2019. He withdrew it at the sentencing when

Biernat said he could not stick to one year based on emotional statements from Kesto’s four sisters. The sentencing guideline range was 3-½ years to seven years in prison.

Kesto’s parents said in a letter recited in court Tuesday by Assistant Macomb Prosecutor Sian Hengeveld the loss of their son was difficult in itself but the delayed justice made it harder.

“The entire courtroom process was hard even before COVID,” they said. “We had over seven prosecutors and have been waiting for justice for over four years. The killer has dragged the case longer than it should have. We wish the plea was not taken back last January when we all agreed to 15 months. Now he is getting the minimum of just one year. The system needs to be for the people, not in favor of criminals.

“We fought for justice for Matt and we didn’t give up. After all of these years trying to cope with this dragging case our family can finally properly grieve.”

They said the loss of their only son has been devastating.

“He tore our entire family apart. He ruined his life and his family’s lives,” they said. “Our entire life has changed. We haven’t figure out this new normal. Our faith has kept us going.

“We should not have had to bury our son by an accident that could have been prevented. Drinking and driving is 100 percent preventable. Just don’t drink and drive. It’s that simple.”

Seagraves apologized during the hearing, which was held remotely and shown over youtube.com.