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Jury Convicts ‘No Show’ Defendant of Homicide by Vehicle

STROUDSBURG – A jury in Monroe County found a driver guilty of causing a crash that killed a passenger.  The defendant has been a no-show throughout the trial. ...
kirk randler

STROUDSBURG – A jury in Monroe County found a driver guilty of causing a crash that killed a passenger.  The defendant has been a no-show throughout the trial.

The trial was heard this week, despite the fact that the suspect wasn't even there.

A jury found Kirk Randler of Long Pond guilty of homicide by vehicle Wednesday afternoon.  Now he's a convicted felon on the run.

Monroe County’s Sheriff’s Department posted Kirk Randler’s picture in the courthouse – now a wanted man – convicted of homicide by vehicle.

Randler crashed his Camaro on Route 611 back in June of 2014, leaving Pocono Mountain East High School’s graduation trying to pass illegally.

Randler’s passenger and girlfriend, Katrina Strauser, died.

"Part of the closure would have been him being here, having him have to face us, and to see him taken where he belongs,” said Strauser’s mother Bonnie Hardenstine.

The family fought back tears at the Monroe County Courthouse. Katrina’s two sons were also in that speeding car back in 2014.  Both were hurt.

"He took my mother away from me that I won't have many, many years of in the future, and he also ruined my life to where I can't even do normal functions like throw a baseball,” said Strauser's son Gunner.

Strauser’s family said the sentence for a crime like this isn't enough. They're planning to work with the district attorney's office to change the homicide by vehicle laws, making the sentence at least seven to ten years.

"Nothing's going to take back my mom, but hopefully we can make it a little better for some other families,” said Rick Strauser.

A couple from Brooklyn also got mixed up in that deadly crash on Route 611.  Their vacation to Mount Airy Casino turned into a nightmare when their car was hit by Randler.

"Not only did I spend weeks in the hospital, but I've got scars all over my body; our lives have changed,” said crash victim Orlando Gonzalez.

Now the search for Randler is on.

"We will use all of the resources we have in conjunction with other law enforcement in any part of the country to try and locate him and bring him back to justice,” said Assistant District Attorney Curtis Rogers.

"You're a coward, man up and come back to PA. Get what's served to you. That's all I have to say to him,” said Strauser’s family.

Randler is scheduled to be sentenced in June on the second anniversary of Strauser’s death. The district attorney’s office says even if Randler is still on the run, a judge can determine his sentence without him. He faces up to 35 years behind bars for homicide by vehicle and other charges.

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