Theodice Parks, 18, one of three people accused of leading police on a pursuit in August of last year that led to the death of an elderly man, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison, plus five years of post-release supervision.
Prosecutors say he and two others led police in a pursuit in a stolen vehicle before hitting a car driven by Thomas Chase, 92, at the intersection of East Avenue and Elmwood Avenue. Chase died at the scene.
“At sentencing today, we heard about Thomas Chase from his family. Mr. Chase was a kind and thoughtful man whose life was stolen by reckless criminal behavior,” said Assistant District Attorney Merrick Sadler. “I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Chase family for their strength and steadfast support throughout this difficult year. Today’s sentence is a stark reminder of the real and devastating consequences of car theft and reckless driving. What some young people in our community may dismiss as an easy thrill, actually leaves real victims and destroys families. Theodice Parks will now spend the next 25 years in the New York State Department of Corrections. Let today serve as a reminder, behind every stolen vehicle or high-speed chase, there are real people, and real loss.”…