TOLEDO, Ohio — A 22-year-old man who caused a fatal crash in March on Alexis Road was sentenced Monday to four years in prison.
Austin Sparks pleaded no contest to aggravated vehicular homicide last month. He was indicted after the March 10 incident when he was traveling at a high rate of speed and collided with a vehicle driven by 62-year-old Terrance Robb.
Robb was pronounced dead at the scene.
Robb's family urged Lucas County Judge Dean Mandros to suspend Sparks' driver's license forever. Mandros suspended it for 10 years and said he wants Sparks to be a productive member of society, and suspending his license forever would make that hard to accomplish.
Sparks apologized to the Robb family during his sentencing.
"I'm truly sorry to the Robb family and friends for the pain, hurt and bad memories that I have caused," Sparks said. "I am so sorry for all of the painful days you had to experience since this accident."
The Robb family also read a statement.
"No one expected that a 22-year-old driving a charged-up vehicle he clearly could not handle would change all of our lives at 126 miles per hour. It is still difficult to believe," David Arnold, Robb's brother, said. "Maybe had Mr. Sparks been drunk or on drugs it would be easier to understand. But we were told he was not."
According to authorities, Sparks crashed into Robb as he was attempting to make a turn. Mandros indicated Monday that Sparks was driving 126 mph and also was weaving in and out of traffic.