CLEVELAND — A 27-year-old Euclid man learned his fate at a sentencing Monday amid charges connected to a deadly crash that claimed the life of his fiancée Ishonna Pratcher, and injured their two children.
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Nancy Margaret Russo sentenced Augustin Thompkins to five years for charges on aggravated vehicular vehicle homicide and other charges. He will also be on probation for several years after he serves his sentence and lost his driver's license for life.
Before Judge Russo read the sentencing, Ishonna's family members spoke in court. One of them said, through tears, "Whatever the outcome is, I hope he can take the time to think about how much pain he's caused us."
After his attorney addressed the court, saying his client was "remorseful," Thompkins turned to face Pratcher's family and broke down. Through sobs he apologized and said:
"Just know it wasn’t my intentions to cause so much pain and suffering to the people I love. I can’t take back what happened that night, but every day I wake up and I wish I could. I wish I could say it would be easier. I miss her so much.”
The case dates back to early July when Solon officers stopped Thompkins after observing a vehicle with no taillights swerving on the highway near the I-480 and US 271 split.
In court Monday, Russo asked how Thompkins ended up in the driver's seat as Pratcher was the orginial driver. Thompkins told the court he jumped in the driver's seat after their vehicle was pulled over.
Police say Thompkins then drove away from officers; the vehicle was later found crashed on US 422 near Harper Road.
Pratcher, 26, a passenger in the vehicle, was taken to a hospital where she later died from her injuries as a result of the crash. Two children – a 1-year-old boy and 5-year-old girl – were also hurt in the crash.
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Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in an unrelated story on Nov. 12, 2022.
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