County sentence in fatal hit and run

BY STACI WILSON

A 26-year-old Hallstead man expressed remorse Thursday in Susquehanna County Court for the January 15 hit and run crash that claimed the life of a 20-year-old in Great Bend Twp.

Roger Radakovich was sentenced on one misdemeanor count of involuntary manslaughter and will serve nine to 23-1/2 months in the Susquehanna County Correctional Facility.

The jail time will be followed with 1-12 years probation. As part of the sentence, Radakovich must perform 100 hours of community service and pay over $4,000 in restitution to the victims’ compensation fund to cover cost of funeral expenses.

In a statement to the court, Radakovich offered an apology to the family of Earl Lyman Youngs. “This is something I will have to deal with for the rest of my life and his family will have to deal with for the rest of their lives. I wish none of us ever have to deal with something like this,” he said.

Youngs was walking along SR 11, near Valley Lanes in Great Bend Twp. in the early morning hours of Jan. 15 when he was struck and killed by Radakovich.

Radaovich left the scene following the impact that claimed Youngs’ life, returned to check on the victim, then fled the scene – telling family members he struck a deer with his vehicle. He later admitted to hitting Youngs and turned himself into police.

District Attorney Jason Legg said that although Radakovich was traveling below the posted speed limit on his way from work that night, he was still driving too fast to safely navigate through the dense fog.

Legg also said the reasons for Radakovich leaving the scene of the accident were not clear.

The district attorney described the case as both tragic and difficult. “This is not a person we normally see come before the court,” he said.

Youngs’ fiancé, Alyssa Wright, took the stand at the sentencing, explaining the impact the loss of Youngs’ has had on her life. She said the two were planning to be married later this year.

“There is not a single moment that I don’t miss him,” Wright told the court. “I just want to give him the justice he deserves.”

Prior to sentencing, Radakovich sat down with Youngs’ parents for what Legg said was an “emotional and powerful” victim impact meeting.

Others sentenced Thursday in Susuqehanna County Court included:

Alexander Michael Romero, 22, of Clifford, to 6 months to 18 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $350 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $250 DNA testing fee and submit sample, not to transport consume or possession alcoholic beverages or controlled substances, not to have contact with anyone on supervision, to receive drug and alcohol counseling for Manufacture, Delivery or Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Deliver in Clifford Township on November 11, 2013.

Sandy M Theobald, 34, of Susquehanna, to 6 months to 18 months home confinement, pay $200 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay $250 DNA testing fee and submit sample, receive random drug and alcohol screenings, not to possess controlled substances, not to have contact with anyone on supervision except James Theobald for Criminal Conspiracy/Contraband to Confined Persons in Bridgewater Township on February 8.

Michael John Hongach, 42, of Meshoppen, to 10 days to 18 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $150 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, perform 50 hours of community service, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages for Simple Assault in Auburn Township on June 20, 2013. Hongach also received 10 days to 18 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $150 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, perform 50 hours of community service, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages, to continue with counseling for Simple Assault in Auburn Township on June 30, 2013.

Dylan Robert Blaisure, 21, of Montrose, to 30 days to 12 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $250 DNA testing fee and submit sample, pay cost of prosecution, not to have contact with anyone on supervision, not to possess firearms, maintain employment, pay $250 fine, pay $100 Act 198, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee for Delivery or a Controlled Substance in Wyoming County on February 14. Blaisure also received 30 days to 12 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $250 DNA testing fee and submit sample, not to have contact with anyone on supervision, not to possess firearms, maintain employment, pay $150 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee for Manufacture, Delivery or Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Deliver in Dimock Township on March 12.