ROCKLAND, Maine — The trial of an 18-year-old Owls Head man charged with manslaughter for a fatal car crash last year is scheduled for July.
The attorney for the teen has asked the state to provide a list of every summons for moving violations that has been issued within one mile of the crash and all summons for speeding in Knox County on streets with the same speed limit as the crash site.
Evan A. Altiero will remain free while he awaits trial, tentatively set for July 11 in Rockland District Court.
Altiero was charged in January with manslaughter in connection with a car crash shortly before midnight June 20, 2011, on Route 73 in South Thomaston which claimed the life of his only passenger, Aleisha Sonksen of Owls Head. Altiero was the driver of a 1998 BMW Z3 that went off the road and rolled several times, according to police.
Sonksen was 17 years old and had just completed her junior year at Camden Hills Regional High School.
Altiero, who appeared in court Wednesday morning for a five-minute hearing before Judge Susan Sparaco, is being tried as a juvenile because he was 17 years old when the crash occurred. He turned 18 in December.
The charge filed by the district attorney’s office states that he acted recklessly or with criminal negligence that led to Sonksen’s death. District Attorney Geoffrey Rushlau said last month that there will be evidence presented to show that speed played a factor in the crash. He said alcohol was not a factor.
Among the conditions of Altiero’s release, his driving is limited to going to school and to the home where he is living in Northampton, Mass. Altiero also is allowed to drive to Maine to visit his parents.
The defendant is represented by attorney Philip Cohen of Waldoboro.
The maximum sentence Altiero could face if he is found to have committed the offense is to be sent to a juvenile detention facility for an indeterminate time until he reaches 21 years of age.
Both Cohen and Assistant District Attorney Lindsay Jones said the trial should last a little more than one day.
Jones, who is prosecuting the case, said Wednesday at the hearing that the only issue left to settle before the trial is a request by the defense for evidence to be presented to it. Jones said a hearing would need to be held on the request.
The motion for discovery filed by Cohen asks the district attorney’s office to provide copies of all summons for speeding in Knox County where the speed limit was 40 miles per hour, the same limit as where the crash occurred, and all summons for any moving violations within a mile of the crash.
The defense argues in its motion that this information would bear directly on whether Altiero’s conduct represented a gross deviation from the standard of conduct of a reasonable person.
Throw the book at him.
His actions caused the death of a young girl that had her whole life ahead of her.
Clever attempt by his attorney to raise doubt on his negligence. Still, just because everyone else had been speeding doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be held liable for his ignorance.
What I see is a young man who made a very stupid and common mistake among young drivers and the worst possible outcome occurred. No doubt that young lady had a bright future ahead of her and this story is as sad as they come.
I think trying him as a juvenile is appropriate. If found guilty, the sentence should be stern but not without compassion.
I feel for the young girl and her family/friends.
Clearly you don’t!
My posts got removed?! Thanks BDN. Guess we know whose side your on!
Hey BDN, I know your whipped by the government just like every other news media. Maybe that DOT publication rings a bell? Don’t worry, I’m just as disgusted as you. The State sends you something you publish and they later scold you for it. Makes good sense doesn’t it? It’s unfortunate I have to mention it here but you are heartless to remove my post in strong favor of Aleisha and the justice she deserves!
I feel very bad for the family that lost a child but let us not forget our own teenage years and what we did when we were young and reckless. Along with considering his previous record we must reflect on our youth and our mistakes before passing judgment! Was it an accident do to his youth or showing off by driving too fast as we all have done? We seem to be more understanding of drug dealers, murders and rapist than we do to a teenager who made a mistake. Remember he will live with this the rest of his life!
He doesn’t have any remorse. He’s still driving is he not? Endangering the rest of us! Thanks alot kid!