Jackson man given 5 years for crash, but could be out in 120 days

A Jackson man on Tuesday was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a Dec. 8 traffic crash that injured three passengers, but he could be out of jail in far less time than that if he completes a court-mandated treatment program.

Timothy Conrad, 22, pleaded guilty in April to three counts of vehicular assault in connection with the rollover crash that injured James Flesher, Lauren Timpe and Kaylie Van Troba, who were riding in the 2004 BMW he was driving on County Road 651.

Conrad initially had pleaded not guilty to the charges and tried to convince officers he was not the driver in the crash. But he later reversed his claim, pleading guilty in exchange for a recommended sentence of five years on each count, to be served concurrently, and participation in an alcohol-treatment program through the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Conrad could have faced up to 21 years in prison, but Judge Benjamin Lewis on Tuesday accepted the state's recommendation for a lighter sentence.

If Conrad completes the treatment program successfully, he could be released in 120 days.

In court Tuesday, Conrad expressed remorse for his actions.

"I can't imagine how my friends feel and what I put them through," he told Lewis. "I've got to live with it for the rest of my life. I know I've got a serious alcohol problem, and I'm ready to deal with it and make something of my life."

Conrad's attorney, Pat McMenamin, asked Lewis to consider a suspended sentence that would keep the felony conviction off Conrad's record, citing his age and his recent efforts to change, which include taking a drug designed to control his alcohol addiction.

McMenamin said Conrad has faced personal tragedies that may have contributed to his substance abuse problems: His brother, Jerry Conrad, was stabbed to death during a Dec. 9, 2011, altercation outside a Cape Girardeau bar, and the family's house burned.

"Tim has had a lot on his plate, and unfortunately has turned to alcohol to try to deal with some of that," McMenamin said.

Lewis rejected McMenamin's request, saying Timothy Conrad's drinking problem predates his other issues.

"Certainly by now, I think you've learned that drinking hasn't made things any better, and in fact has made them horribly, horribly worse," Lewis told Conrad, noting that his decision to drink and drive left one of his passengers disfigured and another near death.

"It's not appropriate to put you on probation without having you serve some time in the DOC," Lewis said. "It is appropriate that you be punished some for what you have done."

Lewis cautioned Conrad that he still could end up in prison for five years if he misbehaves or fails to complete the treatment program.

"Every once in a while, we get somebody that goes in on this program that's just so boneheaded, they don't want to follow the rules," Lewis said.

Gordonville Grill in Gordonville on Tuesday held a fundraiser for Van Troba, donating 10 percent of all sales to help with her medical bills.

epriddy@semissourian.com

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