A Brooklyn minister who pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident that killed a beloved family man was sentenced Wednesday to up to 4 1/2 years in prison.
“The defendant’s actions were especially disturbing because as a minister of his church you’d think he’d show more compassion to his fellow man,” said Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Miriam Cyrulnik.
Michael Casale, 54, fatally stuck Bryan Loughran, 32, in Gerritsen Beach in June 2014.
“Words can’t describe the pain we feel that we can’t sit in the kitchen for dinner anymore where we shared our everyday stories with Bryan,” said Edward Donnery, Loughran’s uncle-in-law who read letters on behalf of the family.
Casale fled the scene, waited two hours before calling 911, but attempted to mask responsibility by reporting the van stolen.
“I’m so, so, so sorry. I live with this every night and will live with this for the rest of my life,” said an emotional Casale.
Police arrested Casale at his home. Hours after questioning and blaming “his friend” for leaving the scene, Casale broke down into tears and confessed, the judge said.
“My sister and brother-in-law drive pass the scene of the accident, three blocks away from their house, everyday and cry,” Donnery read from his wife, Susan’s letter.
Casale’s lawyer, Charles Carnesi, pleaded with the judge not to sentence his client as if it was a murder and to consider his remorse from the time of arrest.
“He panicked. Bail was set at $50,000, which his family was able to pay but he determined not to get bailed out because he knew he was going to be incarcerated for leaving the scene,” said Carnesi.
The judge sentenced Casale to 1 1/2 to 4 1/2 years in prison and a $3,500 fine.
“I hope you’ll always remember the name Bryan Loughran,” said Cyrulnik after imposing the sentence.
