Massillon man gets jail time, probation for ATV crash that killed his best friend
CANTON ‒ A 20-year-old Massillon man will spend 60 days in jail and three years on probation for causing an all-terrain vehicle crash that killed his best friend more than a year ago.
Stark County Common Pleas Judge Natalie R. Haupt sentenced Blayze C. Patt for aggravated vehicular homicide and other charges arising from the July 17, 2022, crash in Lawrence Township.
Patt pleaded guilty Monday to that charge, along with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, a drug abuse or a combination of them, and operating a motor vehicle or agricultural tractor without being in control of it.
His blood-alcohol level was 0.17%, more than twice the legal limit for driving, at the time of the crash that killed passenger Zachary D. Reed, 20, a 2020 graduate of Washington High School.
"These two were the best of friends," defense attorney Eugene O'Byrne said in court.
He said Patt felt remorse for what had happened.
'A terrible decision' cost Zachary Reed his life
As part of a negotiated plea agreement between the prosecution and defense, the aggravated vehicular homicide charge was reduced in severity from a felony of the second degree to a felony of the third degree, which carries a potential prison sentence of one to five years.
Assistant Stark County Prosecutor Richard Nicodemo said the victim's family agreed with the reduction and the plea agreement.
"They don't want this to ruin his life," Nicodemo said. "They want him to get better. They want to make sure this doesn't happen again."
Nicodemo said the plea agreement provides finality and clarity. He said there were some issues with evidence in the case that meant a conviction would not be guaranteed in a trial.
He said the case involved "somebody who's made a terrible decision and somebody else paid the price.
"The goal, obviously is for him, and for this type of situation, never to come again," Nicodemo said.
Blayze Patt's probation and counseling
Haupt said she hopes she never sees Patt in court again.
"I hope that you have learned your lesson," she said. "I would encourage you to share what you've learned with others to prevent this from happening to others. You can make a differnce to others going forward."
Patt is scheduled to report to the Stark County Jail on Wednesday.
Conditions of his probation include getting evaluations for substance abuse and mental health, and completing the resulting recommendations. He is to complete the jail's Stark Adult Recovery Program, which focuses on the cause of addiction. He is to be screened for residential treatment at Oriana House in Akron.
Haupt ordered Patt to complete 200 hours of community service and obtain and maintain employment. He would have to perform an additional 20 hours of community service weekly if not employed. He is to refrain from using alcohol or drugs of abuse and is to stay out of bars and taverns.
Haupt fined Patt $375 for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, a drug abuse or a combination of them. The mandatory three-day sentence for drunken driving is to be served at the same time as the sentence for aggravated vehicular homicide. Patt is required to pay court costs.
The judge suspended Patt's license for five years.
Haupt reserved the option to send Patt to prison for one to five years if he fails to comply with terms of his probation.
The crash occurred around 12:44 a.m. in the 3500 block of Alabama Avenue NW in Lawrence Township.
Reach Nancy at 330-580-8382 or nancy.molnar@cantonrep.com.
On Twitter: @nmolnarTR
This article originally appeared on The Repository: ATV driver gets jail, probation for crash that killed Zachary Reed
