ELYRIA, Ohio — A Sheffield Lake woman who pleaded guilty in the drunk driving death of an Avon Lake man was sentenced to 3 1/2 years behind bars Friday.
On Nov. 19, 2019, Sharan Carr, 65, entered a guilty plea to aggravated vehicular homicide, failure to stop after a crash and operating a vehicle under the influence.
The Lorain County Prosecutor's Office requested a 3 1/2-year sentence, which had been previously agreed on as part of Carr's plea deal.
Carr was behind the wheel in June when she struck a 66-year-old Avon Lake man, who was riding his bike near Lake Road. The victim, identified as Richard "Randy" Knilans, died from his injuries at MetroHealth Medical Center.
Carr turned to apologize to Knilans' family when given the chance to speak Friday.
"I just want everyone to know from the bottom of my heart, if I could've exchanged anything from that day, I would," she said. "I am truly sorry from the bottom of my heart. I'm sorry for the police department. I live my life like probably almost all of you, very forthright, and for this to have happened, it's horrible."
Police said Carr did not stop after the collision, but was later arrested by Sheffield Lake police when detectives found residential surveillance footage of the incident.
Knilans' family, including his son, daughter and wife, spoke Friday morning to express their grief.
"I don't sleep well, so sometimes I drive over to the lake and sit in my car and I cry," Patricia Knilans said. "I drive over to the local Meijer store and walk the aisles at two in the morning because I am drained and don't want to cry anymore. It is hard to be so sad."
"By not taking responsibility for her actions, Sharan Carr has not only killed my farther, but disrespected his memory and the way he lived his life," Knilans' son added.