Brad Casler Gets 4 Years For Fatal Crash Into Newton Pizza Shop

NEWTON, MA – The driver of the car that crashed into Sweet Tomatoes pizzeria in 2016, killing two people, was sentenced Tuesday to five years in prison, four of which he will serve, according to the district attorneh.

On the first count of motor vehicle homicide, the judge sentenced Bradford Casler, 57, of Newton, to 2 1/2 years in the House of Correction, with two years to serve and the balance suspended for 15 years. On the second count of motor vehicle homicide, the judge sentenced him to 2 1/2 years, with two years to serve. And on the count of operating to endanger, the judge sentenced him to 15 years probation.

On Oct. 29, Casler was found guilty by a Middlesex Superior Court jury of two counts of motor vehicle homicide and one count of operating a motor vehicle to endanger in connection with the fatal crash that occurred at Sweet Tomatoes.

The March 1, 2016, crash resulted in the deaths of Gregory D. Morin, 32, of Newton, and Eleanor Miele, 57, of Watertown. Seven others were seriously injured.

The sentencing comes after an online petition campaign among multiple sclerosis patients nationwide, asking for leniency on Casler's behalf. Casler has been diagnosed with MS.

"This guilty [judgment] sets a legal precedence and threatens the independent living we as Multiple Sclerosis patients strive to continue as long as we possibly can," the petition reads. "We are trying to gain support not only for Bradford but for all patients trying to remain independent while living with Multiple Sclerosis and through this petition we respectfully ask the Court for leniency in Bradford's sentencing.

The petition got more than 100 signatures as of Tuesday, the deadline the organizer had given to get it to the judge.

"Bradford and his legal team throughout his trial remained hopeful that the jury would ultimately understand that this was an unforeseen accident due to an acute medical emergency he experienced and render a verdict on facts not emotion," wrote one petitioner.

Although Casler told first responders he didn't think his diagnosis had anything to do with the crash, his attorney later said it was a freak medical emergency that caused his car to go out of control.

Related:

Jury Finds Newton Man Guilty In Fatal Sweet Tomatoes Crash

• Sweet Tomatoes Fatal Crash Trial Begins
• Newton Sweet Tomatoes Case Pivot Brad Casler To Demand
• Sweet Tomatoes Crash: Driver 'Doesn't Deserve' To Go To Jail
• Newton Sweet Tomatoes Case Pivot Brad Casler To Demand Jury
• Newton Sweet Tomatoes Fatal Crash Trial Postponed

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Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff