Deadly Drowsy Driving Case Nets Man Year Behind Bars: Report

LEESBURG, VA—Despite forgiveness from a dead man's widow and a relatively sympathetic judge, a 23-year-old man was sentenced to a year in jail Tuesday after pleading guilty to reckless driving in a head-on collision that killed 29-year-old Michael Larrick nearly a year ago, as reported by WTOP.

Jimmy Hartman said he had been having trouble sleeping and was exhausted when, on his way to work March 22, 2017, he said he momentarily fell asleep and crossed the yellow line on Route 15 in Loudoun County near the intersection with Montresor Road. That's when he slammed into a Subaru being driven by Larrick.

"When (Hartman) got behind the wheel of that car, he made a choice," Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Ryan Perry said. "This has to be a sentence that not only punishes for the loss inflicted, but also sends a message to every other driver in the Commonwealth."

Circuit Court Judge Douglas Fleming, according to WTOP, told Hartman his decision to drive that day, as well as the sentence, should serve as a "cautionary tale" to any driver who chooses to get behind the wheel when fatigued.

Larrick's widow, during victim impact statements, said she had forgiven Hartman, who will be on supervised probation for a year after his release.

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