Uhrichsville man gets prison term for 2020 crash that killed passenger
NEW PHILADELPHIA ‒ A 28-year-old Uhrichsville man has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for a 2020 crash in Dover that claimed the life of one of his passengers.
Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Judge Elizabeth Lehigh Thomakos sentenced Larry Austin Short on Wednesday for aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, failure to stop after an accident and operating a vehicle with willful and wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property.
More:Passenger in 2020 Dover car crash dies on Christmas Day
More:Larry A. Short guilty of aggravated vehicular homicide in death of Joseph DeMattio of Dover
Joseph DeMattio, of Dover, was a passenger in a car driven by Short that crashed in Dover on Aug. 27, 2020. DeMattio, 23, was in a coma from the time of the accident until his death Dec. 25.
In sentencing Short, the judge followed the recommendation of Assistant Tuscarawas County Prosecutor Fred Scott. Short was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison and could remain there as many as 8 1/2 years. Scott said the prosecutor's office will not object to a motion for judicial release after a mandatory four and a half years have been served.
Short will spend three years on parole after his prison term ends. The judge also ordered him to pay restitution of $4,456.24 for the loss of the sport utility vehicle he hit. He was also ordered to pay court costs.
Remembering Joey DeMattio and his impact on others
DeMattio's mother, Lori Daniels, said in court Wednesday that Short's actions on the day of the crash were selfish.
Thomakos said the crash occurred as Short was fleeing law enforcement because he was wanted on warrants.
"This county is seeing an unprecedented number of fleeing cases," she said. "They very often end in a crash. It is Mr. DeMattio who paid the ultimate price."
Daniels remembered her first-born as a beautiful baby with bright red hair and big blue eyes who grew into a unique and sassy young man who kept her on her toes.
"He was such a life force," she said. "Now that life force is gone. And life somehow seems less fun and boring. I don't know myself without Joey. He was my everything, my mini-me, my best friend."
She said she wante Short to understand how his quick and selfish decisions changed so many lives.
"Joey's little sister was 9 when the accident happened. She struggles every day with the pain and confusion of what happened, as well as Joey's brother, who will never be able to have that brotherly bond and connection ever again. Joey's grandparents and all of his friends changed forever.
"And as for me, I will never feel normal again. I will carry this horrible pain inside of me for the rest of my life," Daniels said.
She asked Short whether, given the chance to relive the incident, he would he make the same decision to flee.
"Would you just take the punishment for your crimes, instead of punish all of these people?" Daniels said, her voice breaking.
She asked Short if he would make the same decision if his child or other loved one had been in the back seat of the car.
"So please take these next few years, please, to think about those things and try and change your life for the better because at least you can," Daniels told Short.
Given the chance to speak on his own behalf, Short apologized to DeMattio and his family. He said he would trade places with DeMattio if he could. He said the common theme in his problems is alcohol use, drug use and a poor choice of friends. Since the crash, he said, he stopped associating with people he thought were his friends, and surrounded himself with those who have his best interest at heart. He said he has been sober since April 22, 2021, and has been in outpatient rehabilitation for substance abuse.
"It's never too late to become a better person," he said.
The judge agreed with his statement, noting his sober date. She also recapped his criminal history, which includes OVI, theft, assault, carrying a concealed weapon, drug abuse and trespassing. She said he reported first using marijuana at age 15, followed by alcohol, cocaine and heroin.
What are the details of the crash?
A report from the Ohio State Highway Patrol said Short went through a stop sign and hit the driver’s side of a sport utility vehicle driven by a 33-year-old Dover woman. She was injured, as were DeMattio, Short and Short's other passenger, a 23-year-old Dover woman.
After hitting the SUV, the Hyundai Tiburon driven by Short went off the road, hitting a fire hydrant and a utility pole.
Short was arrested after running from the crash scene at Cross Street and E. Third Street in Dover.
At this time of the crash, Short was on probation for 2019 convictions for trespassing in a habitation, a felony, and two counts of misdemeanor assault. The charges arose from a New Philadelphia home invasion.
More:Probation challenged for man who caused crash that injured four
Reach Nancy at 330-364-8402 or nancy.molnar@timesreporter.com.
On Twitter: @nmolnarTR
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Larry Short, 28, sent to prison for crash that killed Joseph DeMattio
