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Gary Gregoire, of Athol, was sentenced for his role in the crash that took the life of 70-year-old Stephen Karpovich of Amherst, the Northwestern District Attorney's Office reports.
This came after Gregoire changed his plea to guilty to charges of manslaughter, motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation and operating a motor vehicle on a suspended license.
“He didn’t just kill Steve, he killed a little part of all of our hearts," Karpovich's wife said during the sentencing. "We’ll never be the same again.”
The crash happened on Long Plain Road (Route 63) in Leverett around 6:30 p.m. on July 2, 2019, the office reports.
Investigation determined Gregoire was going at least 102 miles per hour when he crossed a double yellow line and collided head-on with Karpovich's car.
Gregoire was also driving with a suspended license and witnesses claimed he was reportedly drag racing with another car, according to the office.
Karpovich was airlifted to Baystate Medical Center where he died on July 22, 2019, the office reports. An autopsy determined Karpovich died from complications from multiple blunt force injuries.
"I’m very sorry for what I did from the bottom of my heart. I’ve cried over it many times," Gregoire said during his sentencing. "I deserve what I’m getting.”
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