Williamsport, PA : One person killed in car crash on Friday August 7th 2015

A former police officer in central Pennsylvania pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter stemming from a car crash that killed another motorist in 2014.
Former Williamsport police Officer Jonathan DePrenda was sentenced to five years' probation and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service. He was also fined $825 and must pay the victim's funeral expenses.
Investigators said DePrenda was traveling 88 mph on a street with a 35 mph speed limit when his cruiser struck 42-year-old James David Robinson's car from behind. Robinson's car hit a utility pole and fire hydrant before slamming into a vacant house, igniting both on fire.
Investigators said DePrenda had activated his lights and siren and was heading to assist another officer who had a suspect at gunpoint.
"I tried my darndest to help that man," DePrenda said. He said he sees the vehicle every time he closes his eyes at night.
DePrenda also pleaded guilty to recklessly endangering another person, failing to drive at a safe speed, carelessly driving resulting in unintentional death and recklessly driving. A charge of vehicular homicide was withdrawn as part of the plea agreement.
DePrenda apologized to Robinson's family. Several family members including Robinson's mother, Nancy Robinson Westbrooks, told DePrenda they forgave him.
"You are amazing given the loss you have suffered," Potter County Senior Judge John Leete said about the Robinson family. He said he was confident DePrenda's apology was sincere.
Westbrooks filed a civil rights suit on behalf of her son's estate against the city, its police department and DePrenda in U.S. Middle District Court. The trial is scheduled for October 2016.


Source :
Former police officer avoids jail time in fatal central Pennsylvania car crash, apologizes