Jury Finds Newton Man Guilty In Fatal Sweet Tomatoes Crash

NEWTON, MA — The man behind the wheel of a car that drove into a local pizza shop, killing two and injuring several others, has been found guilty. The jury's verdict came down Monday after three days of deliberations.

Brad Casler,57, of Newton was convicted on two counts of motor vehicle homicide and one count of operating a motor vehicle to endanger after he drove his Volkswagen SUV into the Sweet Tomatoes Pizza shop on March 1, 2016, killing Eleanor Miele, 57, and Gregory Morin,32. Casler himself was not seriously injured.

“The jury found that Mr. Casler operated his vehicle well-above the speed limit, wove in and out of traffic, did not apply the brakes to reduce his speed and failed to control his vehicle resulting in the collision,” said District Attorney Ryan in a statement. “While first responders were on scene almost immediately after the crash, two people died that night. No verdict can ever fill the void created by this loss of life, or undo the injuries sustained by the seven others hurt during the crash, but it is our hope that today’s decision brings some comfort to those impacted by this horrific incident.”

Both the prosecutor and defense attorneys agreed that Casler's car was out of control, going about 60 miles per hour when he crashed.

Casler reported he could not push the brake pedal down and that it was stuck. But witnesses said there was no indication that the defendant applied the brakes prior to the collision and saw no brake lights. State Police testified there were no issues with the accelerator or the brakes.

Nor was there evidence that the defendant had applied the emergency brake or honked the horn to alert people of the loss of control of his car, according to the D.A.'s office.

Casler's attorney called the crash a tragic medical emergency-related event. He said his client, who had multiple sclerosis, was not told that he was unfit to drive. Casler told first responders, however, that he did not believe M.S. had anything to do with it.

Prosecutors argued that the medical explanation was false, citing information the Commonwealth obtained concerning Casler's health from medical records; observations of the defendant by medical professionals in the immediate aftermath of the crash; and statements from people who know the defendant, were familiar with his medical condition and had observed him around the time of the collision.

Casler stood between his two attorneys as the court read the conviction. Although he didn't appear to show much emotion, his attorney Tom Giblin, shook his head and looked up at the cieling.

Casler was indicted in September 2016. He had planned to plead guilty to the charges to avoid prolonging the tragedy, but when it appeared he would not be able to avoid jail time, he reversed course and said he would plead not guilty instead.

Judge Merita Hopkins scheduled sentencing for Nov. 20 following victim impact statements. Because Hopkins did not preside over the previous statements made by those impacted in this case, statements may be given a second time to be factored into the defendant’s sentencing, according to the DA's office.

Subscribe to Newton Patch for more local news and real-time alerts.

Previously on Patch:

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

(For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to the Newton Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff