SMETHPORT — A Gifford man who struck two people with his sport-utility vehicle during Duke Center’s Old Home Days last year was sentenced Thursday in McKean County Court to serve time in state prison.

Thomas Sink, 49, was sentenced to 15 to 36 months in the custody of the state Department of Corrections for charges including accidents resulting in injury and driving under the influence of alcohol. He was given credit for two days of time served.

Two teenagers were walking along the side of Sweitzer Drive in Duke Center when, at 8:34 p.m. July 28, Sink’s SUV struck the them and left the scene without stopping. Off-duty Bradford City Police Sgt. Todd Erickson saw the accident and followed Sink, calling for assistance.

Police followed Sink back to his residence, where he was apprehended.

During the accident, the mirror of his SUV struck Littney Switzer in the head and the front fender hit Travis Bair in the shoulder, according to court records.

Switzer’s father asked Judge John Yoder for a harsh penalty for Sink.

“Protect us,” he said. “Don’t let him do this again.”

Bair’s mother said, “The night I got that phone call was the worst night of my life. To think that an adult could hit two children and leave them laying in a ditch...”

District Attorney John Pavlock explained that when the accident happened, that area was crowded with people getting ready to view a fireworks display.

“It can’t be ignored that (Sink) may not have been caught if it hadn’t been for Sgt. Erickson,” Pavlock said. He added that Sink had a previous charge of hit and run in 2000 in the state of Virginia.

“His conduct shows he does not care about the welfare of others,” Pavlock said.

Walter Stenhach, Sink’s attorney, listed the offenses his client had been charged with in the past, such as larceny and assault. He said the charges related to incidents with his former wife, and weren’t characteristic behavior.

Yoder then asked Sink if he would like to say anything before the sentence was imposed.

Sink turned to the victims and their families and tearfully told them that he had lost his 18-year-old daughter in a car accident.

“I know in my heart in hurts,” he said. “I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me.”

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