In a case that has deeply impacted the Woodstock community, 69-year-old Patrick Emerson Thomas has been sentenced to 15 years in prison following his conviction for a fatal 2020 car accident. Thomas was found guilty of reckless driving, two counts of homicide by vehicle in the first degree, and driving under the influence of drugs.
The incident occurred in a neighborhood on Eagle Watch Drive, where Thomas, driving a black 2018 Ford Mustang, collided with 59-year-old Justiniano “Papi” Pirir-Pirir, who was working as part of a landscape crew. Pirir-Pirir, a resident of Acworth, was fatally injured when Thomas’s vehicle struck him with significant force. The collision also caused Thomas’s car to crash into a stationary Isuzu landscape truck that was equipped with flashing hazard lights.
According to the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office, Pirir-Pirir was attempting to start a leaf blower when he was hit. The impact was so severe that it resulted in his death from massive blunt force trauma. Eyewitnesses and surveillance footage confirmed that Thomas was speeding and driving erratically before the crash, traveling at least 13 mph over the posted speed limit.
Thomas claimed to police that he could not see the truck due to the sun, but evidence disproved this assertion, showing that visibility was adequate for other drivers. Moreover, Thomas was observed speeding and tailgating prior to the collision. His impairment was evident as he admitted to taking a prescription medication known for causing drowsiness and blurred vision. Field sobriety tests and a subsequent blood test confirmed the presence of the medication in his system.
After a four-day trial and a three-and-a-half-hour deliberation, Thomas was found guilty on all charges. Senior Superior Court Judge Walter J. Matthews sentenced him to 15 years in prison, with the first six years to be served behind bars and the remaining years on probation. In addition to incarceration, Thomas was ordered to complete 240 hours of community service, undergo substance abuse evaluation and treatment, abstain from alcohol and illegal drugs, and attend a MADD Impact Panel and Risk Reduction class. He was also fined $5,000 and faces additional court costs. Furthermore, his driver’s license has been revoked for the duration of his sentence.
Assistant District Attorney Pete Lamb expressed frustration with Thomas’s lack of remorse, stating, “This defendant claimed it was ‘just’ an accident and showed no remorse for his actions. This was no accident.” Lamb emphasized that Thomas’s reckless driving and disregard for safety led to a tragic loss, underscoring the severity of his crime.
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Justiniano Pirir-Pirir is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren. The case serves as a somber reminder of the devastating consequences of impaired and reckless driving, as well as the critical need for responsible behavior behind the wheel.
Reference Article:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/man-sentenced-plowing-landscape-worker-193710609.html