Man gets 10 years for fatal 2016 crash

Woman died in motorcycle crash on Route 57 in Eaton Township

A Cleveland man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for an August 2016 crash that killed a woman.

Justin Tancak, 21, pleaded guilty Aug. 10 to two counts each of aggravated vehicular homicide and DUI, as well as single counts of failure to comply, obstructing official business, OVI, wanton or willful disregard of safety in connection to the Eaton Township crash.

Tancak was sentenced Sept. 21. Ohio Highway Patrol troopers said at the time of the crash, at 2:35 a.m. Aug. 20, 2016, Tancak was driving a 2001 Kawasaki motorcycle with 21-year-old Sara N. Bevelacqua as his passenger on state Route 57 south of state Route 10.

The motorcycle left the road on the east side and overturned ejecting both passengers, the release said.

Tancak was transported to University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center and treated for minor injuries. Bevelacqua was pronounced dead at the scene.

In the sentence handed down by Lorain County Common Pleas Judge James L. Miraldi, seven years of his time is mandatory, meaning he is not eligible for judicial release until he had served at least seven years, court documents said.

Miraldi also ordered Tancak to pay $15,662 in restitution to John and Susan Bevelacqua.

Tancak also is a defendant in a civil suit filed in August in connection to the crash.

The Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Adam Shaw, two unidentified deputies and State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company are named as defendants.

According to the filing, the motorcycle was observed by Shaw driving westbound on state Route 82 in Columbia Township.

Shaw believed the motorcycle driven by Tancak was speeding and allegedly clocked in at 70 mph in a 45 mph zone, the filing says.

After Shaw activated his emergency lights, Tancak failed to pull over, leading authorities on a high speed chase before crashing.

Bevelacqua’s estate is suing Tancak for more than $25,000 for negligence, infliction of emotional distress and wrongful death.

State Farm is being sued for an amount in excess of $25,000 for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

The Sheriff’s Office, Shaw and John Doe 1 and 2 are being sued for gross neglect, infliction of emotional distress and wrongful death for damages an amount in excess of $25,000 on each count damages, as well as compensation and punitive damage in excess of $25,000 for negligent hiring and retention.

Tancak