A Kind of Justice

Remember when my friend from India, Jimmy, lost his mother, Satnam Sandu, to a drunken driver? The man who crashed into their car, which also held Jimmy’s wife and infant son, was sentenced today:

Man Sentenced For Fatal DUI Crash

Nov 9, 2006 10:43 AM

(LOUISVILLE) -- A man who admitted to driving drunk and killing a Louisville grandmother was sentenced to 20 years in prison Thursday.

Nathan Lynch rear-ended a car at the intersection of Shelbyville Road and Hubbards Lane in December of 2005. That crash killed Satnam Sandu.

Lynch, who fled the scene of the crash before he was later arrested, had a message for Sandu's family during Thursday's sentencing.

"Her soul can never be replaced," Lynch said. "This is what saddens me, and I'm sure it saddens her family. All I can do now is pray that each in their own way and in their own time can forgive me for what happened on that traumatic evening."

As part of Lynch's plea agreement, he will not ask for shock probation or probation at any time. He also agreed to give a deposition in Sandu's civil suit against "Saint's Pizza" in Saint Matthews.

The family claims that's where Lynch became intoxicated and that the bars staff is partly to responsible. The bar denies that claim.

I assume this is some sort of justice; however, the family still mourns her untimely death.

Note: The video on the WAVE-TV News shows not only the convicted, but also Jimmy (who speaks) and his father.