Shaun Wilcox, left, leaves Hartford Superior Court after his sentencing hearing. Photo by WTIC's Michael Kane.

Posted: Tuesday, 30 June 2009 5:28PM

No Jail Time for Wife and Son in Avon Accident

Dana Whalen and Matt Dwyer Reporting

The wife and son of the former owner of American Crushing and Recycling will serve no jail time.

An out-of-control dump truck owned by the company slammed into a line of traffic at the foot of Avon Mountain four years ago, killing four people.

Both were sentenced to five years, suspended, and three years probation.

Shaun Wilcox had pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence, charged with shredding maintenance records for the truck in the crash.

"If I could change anything that happened that day I would," Shaun Wilcox said outside of the courthouse. "There are no words that can describe the loss of that day, and I just apologize to everybody that was involved."

Donna Wilcox had pleaded no contest to insurance fraud, charged with trying to reinstate lapsed insurance company immediately after the crash.

"If I could have talked to the victims families and expressed my sorrow, I would," Donna Wilcox said in court, sobbing. "I just pray judge that you give me a chance to live my life."

Last week David Wilcox himself was sentenced to six years in prison, the maximum possible under his plea agreement.

Prosecutors said Donna and Shaun Wilcox were part of a cover-up of David Wilcox's actions.

The prosecution accepted a suspended sentence for Shaun Wilcox, but asked for 2 years in prison for Donna Wilcox.