WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Thow Gets 9 Months in Deadly Crash

Thow Gets 9 Months in Deadly Crash

Rutland, Vermont - November 5, 2009

In March 2008 Richard Thow was driving on Cold River Road when he collided with a car driven by Jim Wetherby. Thow's passenger-- Joey Earle of North Clarendon-- was killed in the crash.

A plea bargain gave Thow nine months in jail and required him to take a driving safety course.

Jim Wetherby and the Earle family argued for more jail time.

"I would like the court to reconsider the charges of the sentence being handed down," Wetherby said. "I thought when you take another human life it is a felony and you are sentenced accordingly. I guess I was wrong."

"We hope that this court finds that Ricky Thow's actions were more than careless and negligent, but criminal," said Joanne Earle, Joey Earle's mother. "When you get behind the wheel of a car you are responsible for every life that's riding with you. If this court finds any less than I would have to ask where is the justice for Joey?"

Thow did apologize to the family and the victim of the incident.

"I just want to say I'm sorry to you guys," Thow said.

Judge Thomas Zonay sentenced Thow. He accepted the plea bargain and tacked on an extra year of a license suspension.

Thow was to report to the correctional facility Thursday evening.

Molly Smith - WCAX News

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