SCRANTON -- A man from Lackawanna County will spend at least five years behind bars for a drunk-driving crash that killed a 12-year-old boy last year.
David Turano faced the family of that 12-year-old boy Wednesday in court.
Turano was sentenced to five to 12 years in state prison.
Before he began that sentence, Turano heard from his young victim's family and friends.
The violent drunk-driving crash happened in Old Forge last August.
The death of Lenny Zupon Jr., 12, is still tough for his young friends to understand. So, at the sentencing for the driver who caused the crash, Lenny's 13-year-old cousin Danielle Jason expressed her pain in the best way she knew how: in a poem.
"Roses are red, violets are blue, Lenny is gone, and it's all because of you.
"But if by chance, you drove without a drink, he may very well be here, please just stop and think.
"So, before you get behind the wheel with that glimmer in your eye, ask yourself this question, 'Can someone really die?'"
Danielle was one of two teenagers who spoke at the sentencing for David Turano of Carbondale. He pleaded guilty to homicide by motor vehicle for causing the crash on Keyser Avenue last summer.
"She wasn't just directing it to Mr. Turano. She wants other people to read about it and to possibly think, think about this, think about our little Lenny. And make the decision to make the phone call, call for a ride! It's not that hard. Walk if you have to. But don't do this," said Joann Jason, the victim's cousin.
Police say Turano ran from the scene. Lenny died later at the hospital. His father, Lenny Zupon Sr., is still recovering from his injuries. At sentencing, the judge called this the most tragic case he's ever seen.
"It's indescribable to now talk about what happened in the courtroom. If you were there, no explanation is necessary. If you weren't, no explanation will suffice. It was just remarkable, remarkable show of compassion," said Lackawanna Assistant District Attorney Brian Gallagher.
"It was a tough day. The Zupons, again, they've been a great family through all of this. It just shows the strength they have as a family. Obviously, Mr. Turano has been very upset by this whole thing since it happened," said Turano's attorney Matt Herbert.
David Turano will spend at least five years behind bars, a stiff sentence for a DUI crash. He will also have to serve a term of probation where he will not be allowed a driver's license.