ELLSWORTH, Maine — The driver who caused a fiery crash that killed four fellow Maine Maritime Academy students in December 2022 was ordered to serve three years in prison for manslaughter at his sentencing on Friday.
Joshua Goncalves-Radding, of North Babylon, New York, pleaded guilty to charges including manslaughter and aggravated drunken driving.
He was traveling at between 106 mph and 111 mph (170 kph and 179 kph) before the SUV struck a tree and caught fire, investigators said. Those killed were Brian Kenealy, 20, of York, Maine; Chase Fossett, 21, of Gardiner, Maine; Luke Simpson, 22, of Rockport, Massachusetts; and Riley Ignacio-Cameron, 20, of Aquinnah, Massachusetts, officials said.
The crash happened after the students had gone out following the last day of classes for the semester.
Goncalves-Radding gave an emotional statement in which he took accountability and apologized to the families. The parents of Fossett asked for a lenient sentence and tearfully hugged him during the break. “No one wanted this to happen,” Laura Fossett said.
“This was a situation where a good person made a horrible decision that cost the lives of four of his best friends,” said District Attorney Robert C. Granger. “No sentence the state could recommend or the court could impose can possibly rival the self-imposed sentence defendant recounts every day he wakes up: He faces the realization that he killed his four best friends and injured two others.”
Two other students survived, in addition to Goncalves-Radding. The Land Rover the students were riding in was owned by the father of one of them, Dominick Gecoya, of Middleton, Massachusetts. The other survivor was Noelle Tavares, 20, of North Falmouth, Massachusetts.
A tragic incident has left a community in mourning as a driver has been sentenced to prison for causing a fatal crash that resulted in the deaths of four individuals. The driver, whose name has not been released to the public, was found guilty of reckless driving and vehicular manslaughter in a court of law.
The crash occurred on a busy highway during rush hour, when the driver lost control of their vehicle and collided with several other cars. The impact of the crash was devastating, resulting in the deaths of four innocent individuals who were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The driver’s actions were deemed reckless by the court, as they were found to be speeding and driving erratically at the time of the crash. It was also revealed that the driver had a history of traffic violations and had been warned about their dangerous driving habits in the past.
The families of the victims have been left devastated by the loss of their loved ones and are struggling to come to terms with the senseless tragedy. They have expressed relief that justice has been served in the form of a prison sentence for the driver responsible for their pain and suffering.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safe driving practices and the devastating consequences that can result from reckless behavior behind the wheel. It is a sobering reminder that every time we get behind the wheel, we have a responsibility to ourselves and to others on the road to drive safely and responsibly.
As we mourn the loss of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident, let us also take this opportunity to reflect on our own driving habits and make a commitment to prioritize safety on the road. By doing so, we can help prevent future tragedies and ensure that our roads are safe for everyone who uses them.
