Man Gets Probation for Killing Bicyclist on 360

Photo of car that hit a bicyclist

According to KVUE, on June 13, an 87-year-old man was sentenced to five years of probation for running over and killing a bicyclist two years ago.

In May of this year, Maurice Ward Widener, the driver of the vehicle, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of criminally negligent homicide.

On the afternoon of April 28, 2012, Verter Ginestra, 54, was riding his bicycle on the shoulder of 360 (Capital of Texas Highway) near Westbank Drive. A vehicle driven by Widener was traveling northbound on 360 when he struck Ginestra on his bike.

Police said that Widener was speeding around traffic and started driving on the shoulder of the highway before hitting Ginestra. In the indictment, prosecutors allege that Widener knew he had poor eyesight, but he never took the necessary precautions to prevent accidents from happening.

District Judge Karen Sage told Widener that he will not be convicted if he follows the terms of his plea agreement. Widener agreed to five years of deferred adjudication, which includes surrendering his driver’s license during that period, says KVUE.

Before a grand jury indicted him last year, Widener faced a higher felony charge of criminally negligent homicide with a deadly weapon.

Wrongful Death Attorney

Ginestra’s wife said in court that she and her family have had a rough two years. She told Widener that they were still struggling to close a gaping wound from this travesty. Additionally, she said that since her husband was killed, that she and her children have stopped singing and playing instruments.

If you and your family have undergone similar pain and anguish due to the loss of a loved one, learn more about wrongful death from the firm of The Law Offices of Aaron Allison.

The Law Offices of Aaron Allison – Austin Personal Injury Attorney

Source: http://www.kvue.com/story/news/local/2014/06/13/man-gets-probation-in-2012-wreck-that-killed-bicyclist-on-loop-360/10460835/