Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
After serving seven months of a three-year prison sentence for reckless homicide, an Ohio truck driver was released from custody to finish his punishment on probation.
Edwin L. Lynch, 51, was recently granted the sentence modification by Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Rex Reed despite the objection of the prosecution.
Reed cited the poor health of Lynch's wife and the fact that Lynch has no prior criminal history as reasons for granting the modification. "... The interest of society does not demand or require that the Defendant shall suffer further imprisonment," according to the court document.
Lynch pleaded guilty to and was convicted of the Class C felony offense in connection with the March 29, 1999, vehicular death of 33-year-old Jill Carpenter of Etna Green.
Carpenter died after her car was struck from behind by Lynch's semi tractor/trailer. Carpenter's car was stopped at a traffic light on U.S. 30 at CR 150W when the accident occurred. At the time of the accident, there were two police cars parked outside the intersection with their emergency lights in operation while investigating another accident at the same intersection on that foggy morning.
Lynch's rig ran over Carpenter's car, trapping her inside. She later died from her injuries.
As a condition of his probation, Lynch must pay a $50 initial and $15 monthly user's fee.
