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Driver sentenced to prison for deadly wrong-way Turnpike crash

Joseph Persico was convicted last year for the deadly wreck. It's not clear when he will report to jail after the judge allowed him to remain free during appeals.

CARBON COUNTY, Pa. — After years of investigation and legal wrangling, a man has been sentenced in a deadly wrong-way crash in Carbon County.

Joseph Persico, 73, was sentenced Tuesday to three to six years in the Carbon County Prison. 

Because of a motion by the defense, it's not clear when he will report to serve the sentence. Because of Persico's medical condition, he was granted a deferred prison arrival date of March 13, but the judge has allowed Persico to remain free until all of his appeals are done if he's able to post bail by that date.

In October, a jury found Persico guilty of vehicular homicide for the wrong-way crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Route 476) in Carbon County in 2018.

Persico was found guilty of homicide by vehicle while DUI, involuntary manslaughter, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person.

Police say Persico was driving south in the northbound lanes, leading to a three-car crash that killed Paul Gerrity of Scranton.

During the sentencing hearing, a doctor spoke on Persico's behalf, and Persico himself spoke to the judge about what he believed happened that day. 

The family of Paul Gerrity wrote a letter that the district attorney read, sharing what Persico has taken away from them. 

In 2020, after a lengthy investigation, Persico was charged in the case.

During the trial last year, the defense told the jury to find Persico guilty on the charge of involuntary manslaughter but not guilty of homicide by vehicle while DUI, saying there wasn't enough evidence to prove he was incapable of driving.

The prosecution reminded jurors of Persico's blood-alcohol level, the partially full bottle of vodka in his vehicle, and the dash camera video from the third victim involved in the crash.

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