In this update, a Presque Isle County teenager admitted to causing a car crash that killed three people. The deadly crash happened in Onaway back in January.
Benjamin Espinoza pleaded guilty to negligent homicide. He is charged as an adult.
Espinoza was behind the wheel with a pick-up full of other teens when he crossed the center-line. He hit an oncoming car head-on, killing the three people inside.
He accepted a plea deal and will get up to two years in prison when he's sentenced.
It was an accident. People make mistakes, and accidents do happen. Cars are the most dangerous implements for injury, and more. Ben didn't go out with the intention to kill anyone, because he IS the most caring person. He's not just some teenager stereotype, like most aren't. The amount of time doesn't make any difference, it's living everyday with the thought of the accident. He knows, he's aware, and he's heartbroken over it. Get real people, it's Michigan, Northern especially. We all know the back roads, it's rough. It was an untimely accident. If he would have died, it would have been different. What could be said about the woman? Drop the "teen" stereotype, this could have happened to anyone. He's a good person.
I dont want to say to much on this, but trust me he is not just getting a slap on the wrist for this. He wakes up everyday and has to live with this. He was the first one out of the truck to see if that family was okay. He told me with tears in his eyes and shame on his face "They didnt move." I see his face everday and i know that this has changed him in so many ways that none of you would ever know. You have no idea how Ben is. The most gentle soul, the most carring person you could ever meet. He is that kid that says i love you to his family in front of his friends and doesnt even think twice about what they think or say, he is the kind of person that will lift your spirits when your down, just because he made a mistake by saying yes to offering a ride to those kids it has changed his whole life. It hurts to see all these posts saying that he's just a stupid teen, because he isn't. Not the least bit. Everyone has there opinions and i cannot stop anyone from saying what they will, but im just letting you know that he is a great kid, and a great brother.
He should have received a harsher punishment. Nick was a friend of mine and now he, along with his mother and sister, are dead. The teen destroyed way too many lives to be put in jail for only to years.
i'm sure you people saying this punishment wasn't harsh enough wouldn't be thinking that if it happened to you. it's a chance we all take when we get behind the wheel of a car...say someone runs a stop sign and you t-bone them, killing them.. you will do time for it because you are the one who hit them. i have a feeling that you are only saying what you are because he was a teenaged driver. people are so quick to judge teenaged drivers..
sure 3 lives were lost... he will be serving a 2 year sentence, and after that having to live with the fact that he caused 3 lives to end for the rest of his life..
it COULD happen to you.. it COULD happen to any of us... don't be so quick to judge..
Only 2 years in prison? Are we excusing bad behavior because of age? Since when has it been acceptable to act a fool and take the lives of three innocent people? This justice system is seriously a joke! That is like telling a drunk who hit someone driving and killed them that its ok it was just an accident. Its not like him/her set out to kill anyone.PATHETIC! This kid knew just as much as anyone with a brain that if we make poor choices there are consequences. Judges GROW A BACKBONE!!!
First off my prayers go out to those that lost loved ones in this tragedy. But you could put the kid in jail for 20 years its not going to bring the family back. And as for setting an example people go to jail everyday for murder, rape, DUI etc and everyday new people are arrested for the same thing so how is this setting an example thing working out so far? Its not like he was drunk or on drugs, he was on a country road in the winter, the road was probably narrowed by the snow plowing, and he had a car full of kids. I think if anything should come out of this MI needs to consider rules regarding teens and passengers. We all know the distractions a car full of kids can create. Not to mention people are more likely to show off or act stupid with an audience. (not that i am saying that was this case in this incident)
It was an accident. I am sure it is almost unbearable to know you killed three people. DId he purposefully cross that center line? Was he playing chicken with unwilling participants? Did he think it was funny? Or did he adjust his radio, look over at something, etc. I don't know how many times i have been behind a driver who has crossed the center line , or had a vehicle coming toward me who crossed that line ( and luckily crossed back over in time). I have accidently crossed, myself? Be honest with yorself and ask this: Have you EVER made any mistake (even very minor) while behind the wheel of a moving vehicle? I think if any one answers that, they wuld have to say yes. L:uckily not everyone killed somebody due to that simple mistake. Unfortunately, he did. I am sorry for the victims and thier families...but also for this teen and his family. Have sympathy for all. What if he were you? Lets learn to forgive!
How old are you??? The teen's age who killed 3 innocent people? If nothing is done to this teenager, the court system sets an example that it's ok...accidents happen. You're an idiot!
Accidents happen! It's a chance we all take getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. What is putting a teenager in prison for two years going to do to him? He has to live with this for the rest of his life which is punishment enough!
2 YEARS IS NOT ENOUGH! HE GETS TO CELEBRATE THINGS IN LIFE AND THEY DONT. HE IS JUST GETTING A SLAP ON THE WRIST FOR THE SENSELESS KILLING OF 3 FAMILY MEMBERS! ITS NOT FAIR!