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The driver of a Penn Township, Pennsylvania ambulance has been found not guilty of vehicular homicide in a 2006 crash that killed a man. Jason Fait was found guilty today of careless driving and failure to obey a traffic control device and fined $225. Excerpts from an article on the WTAE-TV website:
“I never intentionally did this,” Jason Fait said outside court. “I spent my entire life trying to save lives, educate the public on safety. It just gives me a new appreciation how just one moment in time can alter anybody’s life.”
Fait, of North Huntingdon, ran a red light at the intersection of Route 130 and South Greengate Road in Hempfield Township, striking another vehicle on the morning of Oct. 30, 2006.
”It proved in our argument that Jason was not trying to deliberately beat the light or run the light or do anything else that was unsafe driving. He missed it,” defense attorney Ken Burkley said.
Fait and a paramedic who was also riding in the ambulance were not hurt, but Frank Scalise Jr., 46, who was on his way to work at Westmoreland County Prison, died a week after the crash.
Police said Fait was not en route to a call during the time of the crash, but had just dropped off a patient at Westmoreland Hospital at about 5:30 a.m. before leaving to return to base in Harrison City.
Police said the ambulance’s warning sirens and lights were not on and it was believed to have been traveling at 40 mph — five mph under the speed limit.
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“Defense attorney Ken Burkley said criminal charges never should have been filed against Fait. Just driving through a red light does not in and of itself make Fait’s action criminal, according to Burkley.” – Pittsburghlive.com
I just read that from their website. A car has been referred to as a weapon since the day we take our permit exam. A gun is declared as a weapon as well since the day we’re born. If a gun is shot off accidently because you slipped and pulled the trigger and it does not hurt anybody it is not considered a criminal act. However if you were to shoot somebody, it will make your action criminal. Just as if you were to go through a red light it is not criminal, but the second that you kill somebody should be a criminal act.
None of you were at the trial.
Dont begin to speculate what or what not is right or wrong.
You have no idea what you are talking about just from reading a news letter.
12 us citizens on the jury had a UNANIMOUS decision.
For it to be criminal, doesn’t there need to be either intent or gross negligence? Accidents happen – that’s why they’re called accidents. It’s tragic that someone died here but that alone doesn’t make this a criminal act.
That’s right. I don’t think that running the red light was an issue in the trial. They stated that. But did he do it with intent. The video shows it is a cofusing intersection. We all could make the same mistake. The news said they settled a civil suit so that means they took responsibility for the accident.
His lack of attention caused the death of the other driver.
Is that “inattention” criminal? The jury and the experts say “no”.
I have done the same thing (stop sign) but luck smiled on me.
IMO it’s NOT a confusing intersection.
That said, why did both paramedics miss the light?
However, one of them did notice the approaching SUV.
In my neighborhood both sets of lights can be red for over 2 seconds. Does the video show or was it ever considered possible that the SUV jumped a green light?
Scratch that, it appears as though the SUV had a green light.
IMO Jason Fait doesn’t need to be sentenced as a criminal.
He seems to be a man with a conscience and that’s the one thing criminals are always missing.
Just a few thoughts.