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A loving father, son, friend and brother.
That is how Alex Bleickhardt was remembered by his mother and father as they read impact statements to Judge James A. Murphy Thursday during the sentencing of Justin P. Rodriguez, who was convicted in July of killing Bleickhardt.
Murphy sentenced Rodriguez, of Moreau, to an aggregate maximum term of 22 1/2 years in state prison a day before the one-year anniversary of the night he drove while intoxicated last fall on Sept. 15, 2022.
Rodriguez was convicted of driving drunk and striking the Penske truck Bleickhardt, a tow truck driver with Tow Away LLC, was underneath working on alongside Interstate 87 in Wilton, killing Bleickhardt. The sentence includes 12 1/2 to 25 years for the aggravated vehicular homicide charge and a 10-year term for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, which he will serve consecutively.
Rodriguez, who had previous DWI convictions, was sentenced as a second-felony offender.
During impact statements, Bleickhardt’s mother Beth Ann Shropshire-Bruno recalled learning her son had died.
“We always think there will be time, but time was stolen from Alex,” she said.
She spoke about driving past mile marker 33.9 on the Northway and seeing what was left of the crash.
“I am left feeling guilty, angry and sad beyond measure,” she said. “I will never have the opportunity to talk to my Alex again, to feel his big, strong arms around me in a hug.”
Shropshire-Bruno also read a statement from her grandson’s mother, who was not identified, and her grandson — Bleickhardt’s son.
Those statements indicated that Bleickhardt’s son blames himself for his father’s death.
“His father was the world to him,” the statement said.
Bleickhardt’s son was in the courtroom for some of the proceedings but left after becoming upset.
Murphy said that it was not the child’s fault and that blame fell squarely on Rodriguez.
Bleickhardt’s father, Raymond Bleickhardt, also spoke, asking for the maximum prison sentence.
“I ask this not out of vengeance or vindictiveness, but in an attempt to protect the public from future similar cases,” he said.
Murphy said several other statements were sent to the court, including some from family members, members of Tow Away and Trooper Daniel Beaudoin. Beaudoin was the officer that was with Bleickhardt after his truck broke down the night of the crash, but left to locate Rodriguez, only to find out about the crash a short time later.
Murphy said Rodriguez had nine prior arrests dating back to 2003, including six prior convictions for driving while under the influence of alcohol. He had two felony DWI convictions in 2017 alone.
Murphy said Rodriguez had previously stated in his courtroom that he was happy he didn’t hurt anyone.
“And here we are,” Murphy said. “With each of those prior convictions, you had the opportunity to make changes but you did not. You continued to drink, use drugs and — most importantly and most sadly and almost unbelievably — get behind the wheel of your vehicle.”
Assistant District Attorney Shawn Lescault spoke during the proceeding about how Bleickhardt touched many people’s lives and how he was known for “his dedication, professionalism, his warm and friendly demeanor.”
“Tomorrow marks the painful anniversary of Alex’s passing — a day etched in the hearts of his loved ones,” he said in a press release following sentencing. “We hope Alex’s family may find some solace in knowing that justice has been served in this case. For the Defendant, tomorrow marks a different realization — the beginning of a 22 1/2 year chapter behind bars, a consequence of his reckless and selfish behavior. May this case serve as a stark reminder that intoxicated and reckless driving on our roads will be met with severe and lasting consequences.”
Rodriguez declined to make any comments during his sentencing.
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