Driver sentenced in Aug. 28, 2010 motor vehicle homicide

Craig Barton, 44, of  Springfield, Mass., was sentenced today in Hampshire Superior Court to 5-7 years in state prison after pleading guilty to felony vehicular homicide while under the influence of alcohol and reckless operation in connection with an August 28, 2010 incident in South Hadley.

Barton lost control of his car at the intersection of Brainerd and Lyman streets, crossed over the yellow lines of Brainerd Street, striking Frederick “Joey” Kareta, 22, who was picking up the mail at his aunt’s house and sending Kareta over 80 feet in the air.  Kareta died later at Holyoke Hospital.

After striking Kareta, Barton continued driving, crossing the yellow lines again, until colliding head-on with an oncoming vehicle.

Today’s plea and sentence were agreed upon by Barton and the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office. It is consistent with statewide sentences for similar crimes, Judge Daniel Ford said.

Judge Ford declined a request by Barton’s attorney to allow Barton to serve his sentence in a House  of Corrections.

“This sentence will help protect the public and punishes wrongdoing but we cannot restore what has been taken from this family,” said Assistant Northwestern District Attorney Matthew Thomas, the lead prosecutor in the case.  “Hopefully people will think twice before drinking and driving, or spend some extra time with a loved one today.”   

 “It’s a tragic and senseless killing,” District Attorney David E. Sullivan said outside the courtroom afterward. “We feel a deep loss for the family.”

For immediate release: Sept. 22, 2011

Contact: Mary Carey at mary.carey@state.ma.us (413) 588-4274