Benjamin Servideo leaves the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal with his attorney after admitting to civil charges in an auto accident that resulted in the death of Sullynet Sanchez and her unborn child. File photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News
By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
Sentencing Tuesday for a Newport man who was charged with traffic violations but not charged criminally in the death of a Providence woman and her unborn child on Route 4 in East Greenwich last September.
The mother and fiance of Sullynet Sanchez remained upset that the Benjamin Servideo, who admitted responsibility for her death and that of her unborn child on rain-slicked Route 4 in East Greenwich last September was not charged with any criminal violations.
"She was my motivation, my son was my motivation, and they're both not here," said Steven Bustamante, Sanchez's fiancee and their child's father as he told the court that he could not go back to work in the aftermath of their deaths.
Servideo had admitted to what amounts to distracted driving and failure to maintain control.
"I can only express my sorrow and apology for any involvement in this matter," Servideo told the court. "I will continue to keep Miss Sanchez, her child and their families in my thoughts and prayers."
He was sentenced to lose his license for 8 months, to perform 100 hours community service and to pay a fine.
"I hope this ends the discussion about distracted driving on our roads," said Traffic Tribunal Chief Magistrate William Guglietta of the brief distraction that led to Servideo taking his eyes off the road.
"Here's a perfect example of how one second in one person's life changed two families forever."
