SMETHPORT — A New Castle man pleaded guilty Thursday in McKean County Court to three summary charges resulting from a crash that seriously injured four motorcyclists in 2016.
Thomas E. Williams, 62, entered a plea before President Judge John Pavlock to charges of careless driving-serious bodily injury, duties at a stop sign and driving at a safe speed.
Williams will pay a $250 fine for the careless driving charge and $25 fines for the other two charges. Additionally, he will pay $6,826.41 in total restitution to two of the victims.
District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer explained that on Aug. 20, 2016, Williams, who was driving on Route 59, failed to stop at the intersection of U.S. Route 219 in Lafayette Township. He saw a group of motorcyclists and proceeded to drive through the intersection at 42-44 mph.
Four of the motorcyclists were ejected from their bikes and suffered serious injuries. Shaffer outlined the injuries suffered by each of four men.
Michael Kerlin — one motorcyclist who Shaffer said went into cardiac arrest twice at the scene — attended court Thursday. Walking slowly with a cane, he came up to the front of the courtroom with his wife, who read a statement on behalf of both of them.
She described at length his injuries and hospital stays, explaining that she was preparing for the possibility she may have to tell her children if he died. He survived, but he needs constant care and is unable to drive, work or even lift up his daughter.
Due to memory problems, “I must leave him notes daily to remind him what he needs to do,” she noted.
Michael Kerlin lost his business, and “he is now worried we will lose everything we own,” said his wife.
Williams also addressed the courtroom.
“I’d like to address especially Mr. Kerlin. Michael, I’m so sorry man,” Williams said. He said seeing Kerlin “is like seeing a miracle. I’m so glad you’re alive, man.”
Williams said he could never ask for Kerlin’s forgiveness and told him, “Forever and ever I will pray for you, sir, and the rest of the people.”
Williams was initially charged with one felony count of aggravated assault by vehicle and several summary charges.
Pavlock talked about a hearing before him in which he dismissed the single felony count.
“I can understand the frustration with why isn’t there more,” Pavlock said, saying that he has to apply the law in every case. “There’s a legal standard that recklessness has to be shown, which in very short summary was that the defendant meant to cause the harm that occurred.”
While Pavlock did not feel the legal standard was met; he did not want to dismiss the seriousness of the effect the accident had on the victims.
“Your actions resulted in what occurred,” Pavlock said to Williams.
