A Georgia man was sentenced this week to six years in prison and nine years probation for ramming into a landscape worker with his 2018 Mustang, killing him instantly.
Patrick Emerson Thomas, 69, was convicted last month with homicide by vehicle, reckless driving, and driving under the influence, WAGA reported.
The jury found that Thomas was speeding in his 2018 Ford Mustang when he struck Justiniano “Papi” Pirir-Pirir, 59, who was standing behind his crew’s landscape truck, parked legally beside the road with its hazard lights on in a Woodstock neighborhood.
Thomas said he was blinded by the sun and didn’t see the large Isuzu truck, but prosecutors presented meticulous evidence that the sun was not a factor for any other drivers at that time and that he was seen driving recklessly shortly before the crash.
One witness testified that Thomas has been aggressively tailgating him, forcing him to change his route to get away.
Prosecutors also presented evidence showing that Thomas was speeding and had accelerated just before the crash, WANF reported.
Thomas also showed signs of impairment on the scene and admitted to taking a prescription medication that causes drowsiness. A blood test confirmed the presence of the drug in his system.
“Throughout the investigation and prosecution of this case, this defendant claimed it was ‘just’ an accident and showed no remorse for his actions. This was no accident,” said Cherokee County Assistant District Attorney Pete Lamb, according to WAGA. “Mr. Pirir-Pirir was crushed by the defendant’s car, killed by an aggressive driver who endangered multiple lives as he sped through that neighborhood that day.”
Thomas will also be required to complete 240 hours of community service , be evaluated and treated for substance abuse, abstain from alcohol and illegal drugs, complete a Mothers Against Drunk Driving Impact Panel and Risk Reduction Class, and pay a $5,000 fine and other court costs.
He must also surrender his driver’s licence for the entire 15 years of his sentence.
Members of Pirir-Pirir’s family testified to the impact his death had on them, particularly the lost income that supported his children and grandchildren.
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[Featured image: Patrick Emerson Thomas/Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office]
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