Justice for Deana? Not yet

I don't usually like to point out inaccurate headlines - especially when they are my own.

I know that will come as a surprise to many readers who are only too happy to point out what they believe are inaccuracies in those decks topping stories every day - usually those dealing with local politics or President Trump.

The most important thing I do every day remains the headline that appears on our front page.

That's why I had second thoughts about the headline that dominated Page One last Friday.

It detailed the plea deal entered by a Chester County man in the fatal DUI accident that took the life of Deana Eckman.

Our front page heralded the court proceedings with this headline:

JUSTICE

FOR DEANA

But did the family of Deana Eckman really get justice?

Their daughter is gone - forever.

The man who caused the accident that took her life had five previous DUI offenses before climbing behind the wheel again while under the influence, driving recklessly and slamming head-on into the Eckmans' car.

He was granted probation - which put him out on the street again - in part because he was allowed to serve the sentence for his fifth DUI charge, which took place here in Delaware County, concurrently with the time he was serving for his third and fourth offenses in Chester County.

If he had been serving that time consecutively, he likely would not have been in a position to once again climb behind the wheel.

That, in part, is one of the reasons Roseann and Richard DeRosa continue to seek changes in the state's DUI laws.

Once they see those changes in place, changes that would prevent another family from suffering the horrific ordeal they have undergone, only then will they truly have seen justice delivered for Deana.

We talk about it on today's editorial page.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Sad, very sad!!