Cop Who Killed Man By Crashing Into Him At 100 MPH In 35 MPH Zone Gets 5 Years Probation

Jonathan Derpenda shaking hands with the mayor of Williamsport, Gabriel Campana, shortly after being hired

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — A former Williamsport police officer who killed a man by crashing his cruiser into the side of another vehicle in 2014 will receive no jail time.

Former Officer Jonathan Deprenda, 34, entered a guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter on Thursday, and was given a sentence of only five years probation and an order to pay his victim’s funeral expenses.

Deprenda fatally crashed his cruiser into the car of James Robinson while he was travelling at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour in the oncoming traffic lane of a 35 mile per hour zone, according to a report by WNEP. The collision caused Robinson’s vehicle to crash into a house and catch fire.

According to a report from PennLive, the Williamsburg police immediately placed Deprenda on paid administrative leave and waited approximately 10 months to terminate his employment. Deprenda could file an appeal to overturn the decision.

Robinson’s family told local reports at the sentencing that they have chosen to forgive Deprenda.

“I raised my kids to forgive those who do things against you, and it’s something James would have did. So I had to forgive him,” said Robinson’s mother Nancy. “I forgive him because the love of God I have showed me the errors and let it go.”