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Former Cop Sentenced in Deadly Crash in Carbon County

JIM THORPE — Steven Homanko was sentenced to three to 23 months in Carbon County Jail for a deadly crash that killed Carola Sauers from Hazleton. In court...

JIM THORPE -- Steven Homanko was sentenced to three to 23 months in Carbon County Jail for a deadly crash that killed Carola Sauers from Hazleton.

In court, the former Nesquehoning cop begged for forgiveness.

The husband of the victim begged for justice that he feels he didn't get.

"I don't think justice was done at all today. I can't see how a mere 1 1/2 months in prison with a chance of parole comes anywhere close to what I would consider to be justice."

That's what Michael Sauers of Hazleton had to say about the sentence for the man responsible for the crash that killed his wife Carola in 2014.

Steven Homanko, a former Nesquehoning cop, pleaded guilty to charges includes vehicular homicide.

"I think the criminal justice system has failed severely here and it sends a wrong message certainly to me and my family about justice and I don't think the public is going to be pleased with this and I think it sends a wrong message to police," said Sauers.

Homanko didn't have anything to say as he was taken out of the courthouse in Jim Thorpe.

But in the courtroom, it was a different story. Homanko cried and begged for forgiveness.

"I did not mean to inflict harm to you or your family. On May 12, my life, more importantly, your life changed drastically," said Homanko. "My emotions overtook my common sense."

In May of 2014, witnesses told state police they spotted Homanko speeding and driving carelessly on Route 209 in Nesquehoning.

Homanko was chasing a vehicle that he felt had illegally passed another vehicle.

Homanko lost control of his police cruiser and crashed head-on into Sauer's car.

The investigation found Homanko had been going about 113 mph prior to the crash.

Michael Sauers tells Newswatch 16 that day and this one will live with him forever.

"I was looking for some justice for Carol and it didn't occur to the degree I wanted it to occur, so not a good day," said Sauers.

Steven Homanko's mother, grandmother, and aunt also spoke in court, all asking the judge to be lenient.

A warden will decide if he can be let out on house arrest after a month and a half of time served.

Homanko must turn himself in to the Carbon County jail on Saturday night.

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