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Advocacy group praises judge's sentence in Corasanti trial

A local woman who lost her own sister to drunk driver a few years ago says Judge Sheila DiTullio should be praised for sentencing Dr. James Corasanti to a year in prison.

Deanna Russo with the Crusade Against Impaired Driving applauds the judge's decision to issue the maximum sentence.

"She is sending a message to the community that drinking and driving should be taken seriously, and even though it was just the DWI charge... it was still serious enough for her to say 'you're going to jail for a year,'" said Russo.

However, Russo says it still doesn't make up for the failure by the jury to find Corasanti guilty on more serious felony charges.

"There was a lot of people outcry following that verdict and I was pleasantly surprised to hear everyone up in arms.  However, I just don't know if a year would make up for a young life that is lost.  I can see it as being the most drastic of sentences, but it doesn't bring Alix back."

Deanna Russo lost her younger sister Karen in 1998 in an automobile accident involving a drunk driver.

Erie County Commissioner of Central Police Services John Glascott also says he is pleased with the judge's decision.  Glascott says it sends an important message to motorists who drink.

"In this particular case, this goes right home to what could happen if you do. Good people go out, they drink and drive, and people die. When people die, they have to suffer the consequences for their actions.  So think about it the next time you have a couple too many and hit the road," Glascott told WBFO and AM 970.

Erie County's has a STOP-DWI Program that works to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in drunk driving crashes.

A candlelight vigil will be held this evening on Heim Road in Amherst where Alexandria Rice was killed last summer.

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