Driver Who Hit Students Sentenced To Ten Years

The driver of a car that hit and killed an undergraduate last May was sentenced in Litchfield, Conn. Superior Court yesterday to 10 years in prison.

In the crowded and emotional two-hour proceeding, Steven T. Driscoll received a five-year jail sentence and five years of probation for striking Sarah T. Craig 99 and three other undergraduates as they walked along a dark Norfolk, Conn. road. Craig died after sustaining a brief coma.

Driscoll, 28, was intoxicated when he veered his car towards Craig and her roommates, according to Christopher M. Cosgrove, the public defender.

In 1995 Driscoll completed a 12-week alcohol treatment program as a result of a drunk driving charge.

Craig's mother, Valerie, yesterday termed the sentencing "extremely disappointing," saying offenders in Connecticut historically only serve between 50 percent and 80 percent of their sentences.

"He should be responsible for what he did," Valerie Craig said. "Drinking is no excuse. He still killed her. He still turned his truck toward them."

Craig's family cannot appeal the decision, but a civil suit is pending.

According to Jennifer R. Weiss '99, who was present during the accident and sentencing, the Driscoll's insurance money ran out before covering Craig's three-day hospital stay.

Craig's friends and family and Driscoll's supporters wrote letters to the judge before the decision, attempting to influence him, Cosgrove said.

Craig's mother, younger brother and roommate, Lucy Yen '99, said in emotional testimony at the sentencing that they think about Craig every day, according to Weiss. They also said they believed Driscoll was arrogant and not remorseful.

A great-aunt and a friend spoke on behalf of Driscoll, describing him as generous and helpful, according to Cosgrove.

They said Driscoll, an army veteran who was recalled for Desert Storm but not sent overseas, brought firewood to a local church, landscaped and housesat for neighbors.

Driscoll's uncle William T. Driscoll was present in court yesterday but declined to comment.

The prosecution argued that Driscoll should serve a full sentence, based on his prior history of alcohol abuse and drunk driving, according to David S. Shepack, assistant state's attorney.

The defense pointed out Driscoll's positive qualities, requesting that he not receive the full sentence.

"We asked the judge to...place [Driscoll] on probation and give him certain conditions, to let him do some community service," Cosgrove said.

The judge did not require community service, but did mandate that Driscoll donate money annually to an organization against drunk driving, according to Weiss.

He will also be barred from driving and consuming alcohol, will be subject to random urinalysis, and will have to participate in an alcohol treatment program.

Driscoll was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs, Shepack said.

A clerk at the Litchfield Superior Court said Driscoll began serving his sentence immediately at the Walker Reception Center in Suffield, CT. He will remain there for about four to six weeks, until it is determined at what type of facility he should serve the rest of the sentence.

Life After the Tragedy

As Driscoll began serving his sentence, Craig's relatives and friends gathered in her house to reflect and plan a course of action.

Craig's mother said the harassment that has been directed at her family throughout the case--people driving past her house and shouting--let up last week.

"We just have to wait until somebody is caught in the act," she said. going to be a case on it if we catch someone."

For now, she said, she is working to change laws concerning drunk driving.

"I have to regroup. I certainly will be...writing to various legislators about the fact that you can't go for [first degree manslaughter] in this state," Valerie Craig said. "We are pushing for that. It won't do Sarah's case any good, but it might do some future case some good.

Craig's friends and family and Driscoll's supporters wrote letters to the judge before the decision, attempting to influence him, Cosgrove said.

Craig's mother, younger brother and roommate, Lucy Yen '99, said in emotional testimony at the sentencing that they think about Craig every day, according to Weiss. They also said they believed Driscoll was arrogant and not remorseful.

A great-aunt and a friend spoke on behalf of Driscoll, describing him as generous and helpful, according to Cosgrove.

They said Driscoll, an army veteran who was recalled for Desert Storm but not sent overseas, brought firewood to a local church, landscaped and housesat for neighbors.

Driscoll's uncle William T. Driscoll was present in court yesterday but declined to comment.

The prosecution argued that Driscoll should serve a full sentence, based on his prior history of alcohol abuse and drunk driving, according to David S. Shepack, assistant state's attorney.

The defense pointed out Driscoll's positive qualities, requesting that he not receive the full sentence.

"We asked the judge to...place [Driscoll] on probation and give him certain conditions, to let him do some community service," Cosgrove said.

The judge did not require community service, but did mandate that Driscoll donate money annually to an organization against drunk driving, according to Weiss.

He will also be barred from driving and consuming alcohol, will be subject to random urinalysis, and will have to participate in an alcohol treatment program.

Driscoll was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs, Shepack said.

A clerk at the Litchfield Superior Court said Driscoll began serving his sentence immediately at the Walker Reception Center in Suffield, CT. He will remain there for about four to six weeks, until it is determined at what type of facility he should serve the rest of the sentence.

Life After the Tragedy

As Driscoll began serving his sentence, Craig's relatives and friends gathered in her house to reflect and plan a course of action.

Craig's mother said the harassment that has been directed at her family throughout the case--people driving past her house and shouting--let up last week.

"We just have to wait until somebody is caught in the act," she said. going to be a case on it if we catch someone."

For now, she said, she is working to change laws concerning drunk driving.

"I have to regroup. I certainly will be...writing to various legislators about the fact that you can't go for [first degree manslaughter] in this state," Valerie Craig said. "We are pushing for that. It won't do Sarah's case any good, but it might do some future case some good.