Article Options

West Virginia man pleads guilty after driving into house

By Tara Fasol, The Southern

Thursday, July 3, 2008 10:13 AM CDT

BENTON - A West Virginia man pleaded guilty Wednesday to leaving the scene of July 5, 2007, accident in which the car he was driving crashed into the home of a West Frankfort couple.

That couple appeared in court and tearfully asked the judge to reconsider the plea bargain.

Casey Cox, 30, appeared before Judge Loren P. Lewis Wednesday afternoon and pleaded guilty to an amended charge that was decreased in exchange for his plea.

Cox was previously charged with causing an accident involving injury or death but pleaded to a lesser charge of leaving the scene of a traffic crash causing property damage. He was ordered to pay more than $6,000 restitution to cover costs of repairing the home.

Before making a decision, Lewis asked Cox about any previous offenses and called upon one of the victims, Brenda Mathis, to speak on behalf of herself and her husband.

"Your honor, I think he is going to get off really easy," she tearfully said. "I have permanent damage to my back and neck. They are just going to let him go."

Cox said his past criminal record included a drug possession charge from high school and a driving under the influence charge from "one year ago."

Franklin County Court records do not show a DUI offense for Cox. It was not specified where that charge originated.

Lewis said he believed the charge of leaving the scene would have a negative impact on Cox's life and paying $6,000-plus in damage costs would penalize him for his criminal acts. The judge noted that other restitution for medical expenses could possibly be obtained through a pending civil case.

Lewis approved the plea deal, and Cox was ordered to pay restitution immediately.

The accident occurred about 8:05 p.m. July 5, 2007.

West Frankfort Police said three people were taken to the hospital after the crash, including Mathis, her husband Darrell, and a passenger in the car Cox was driving.

Then-Police Chief Mike Dinn said the vehicle veered from the roadway, struck an electric pole and hit a tree before crashing into the residence at the corner of Parkhill and West Lindell streets.

The couple was sitting on their front porch when the car struck the house. Dinn said they were thrown through a large picture window. The passenger was ejected from the car as it overturned and came to rest several feet from the house.

Witnesses told police Cox exited the car and fled on foot. Neighbor Tony Sciluffo saw the accident and chased Cox down the street, catching and holding him until police arrived.

tara.fasol@thesouthern.com

351-5824