Driver sentenced, apologizes to victim's family

CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI)- Acknowledging there were no words that could provide any relief to the victim's family, a Newport man was sentenced in Rhode Island's Traffic Tribunal in connection with a deadly crash that killed a woman and her unborn child.

A judge sentenced Benjamin Servideo, 24, to an eight month license suspension and 100 hours of community service; 25 of which must be spent working with children.  He has pleaded guilty to several traffic violations, including failing to maintain proper control and conditions requiring reduced speed.

Last September, Servideo was driving on Route 4 in East Greenwich behind a car driven by Sullynette Sanchez. He struck her car, causing her to slam into the vehicle in front of her.

Sanchez, who was pregnant at the time, died at Kent Hospital. Her child was delivered, but died two weeks later.

Earlier this month, Sanchez's family expressed outrage after officials revealed they were not going to file criminal charges against Servideo, due to lack of evidence.

Servideo apologized to the victim's family before the court.

"I hope the Sanchez family will come to find some peace to know that this was an accident, and though that peace will not replace the hole from Miss. Sanchez's death and the death of her child, I can only express my sorrow and apology for any involvement in this matter," he said.

During sentencing, Sanchez's family members made emotional statements.

"The hardest decision was to take my newborn son off life support," said Sanchez's fiancé Steven Bustamante, who asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence.

"I will have to live with this pain until the day that I die," said  Ramonita Cortes, Sanchez's mother.

Fr. Giacomo Capoverdi testified on Servideo's behalf, saying "Ben attends Mass every Sunday. He is one of the finest young men I know. He has lived his life as a young Catholic, never giving his parents an ounce of trouble, in school or with the law."