CLEARFIELD – A Woodland man was sentenced to state prison for his role in a fatal ATV accident.
Robert A. Goodrow III pleaded guilty in two cases, both involving motor vehicles. Goodrow was facing charges from a June 5 ATV accident that cost 17-year-old Kerinne D. Hawkins her life. The other case involved Goodrow, while DUI, leading law enforcement on a motor-vehicle pursuit.
Prior to sentencing, Goodrow, now an amputee, addressed the court by apologizing for his actions. The Honorable Paul E. Cherry told Goodrow he needed to address the victim’s family, not the court.
“I never meant for this,” said Goodrow. “I loved her a lot and she meant everything to me.”
His defense attorney, David Shrager, stated what a difficult case this was for both families. He said that he’s watched his client grow.
“He’s gone through an extreme growing-up process,” said Shrager. “He’s matured as a person.”
Shrager asked the court to balance justice and vengeance with mercy. Shrager asked the judge to impose a county sentence.
First Assistant District Attorney Trudy Lumadue, speaking on behalf of the victims, said an effort had been made by the Hawkins’ parents to keep Goodrow away from her.
“He was told to leave her alone,” said Lumadue. “He didn’t listen.”
“He was horribly careless.”
She added that the parents were preparing to involve the police.
Cherry then addressed Goodrow. He called Goodrow’s actions “selfish”.
“You couldn’t take no for an answer,” said Cherry.
Cherry also talked about the presentence investigation.
“You showed no remorse toward Kerinne during presentence investigation … It was all about you.”
On the charge of homicide by vehicle, Goodrow was sentenced to 18 months to 7 years in state prison, upon release he is to refrain from the use or possession of alcohol nor is he permitted to enter establishments that sell alcohol. He is to have no contact with the victim’s family, and as a condition of his parole, he will pay $100 month to the Kerinne Danae Hawkins Scholarship fund. He will also submit to DNA testing at his own cost. He will pay restitution in the amount of $3,975.
On six counts of reckless endangerment, he was sentenced to three months to two years on each count to state prison, with the counts to run concurrent to each other and the above.
On the charge of fleeing and eluding, he was sentenced to six months to three years in state prison, with that sentence to run consecutive to the first sentencing order.
On the charge of DUI, Goodrow was sentenced to 48 hours to six months in state prison, with that sentence to run consecutive and aggregated to the first sentencing order. He is to undergo a full drug and alcohol assessment, and upon release, he must complete the Clearfield County DUI school.
On two counts of reckless endangerment, Goodrow was sentenced on each count to three months to two years in stat prison, with each count to run concurrent to one another and to the original sentencing order.
On the charge of resisting arrest, he was sentenced to three months to two years in state prison, with that sentence to run concurrent to the original sentencing order.
Cherry noted that a lesser sentence would depreciate the seriousness of the crime and that the defendant showed no remorse during the presentence investigation.