Man sentenced for bicentennial crash

The man who drove his car through an intersection and struck a Coudersport teenager lined up to watch the Potter County bicentennial parade in October 2004 was sentenced this month by Judge John Leete.

Gary Meacham Jr., 35, pleaded guilty to simple assault and reckless endangerment. He drove his car across the intersection of Water Street and North Main Street onto the sidewalk. The vehicle struck Brittany Krog, 15 at the time, propelling her into the Allegheny River flood control channel. The victim recovered, but her injured leg had to be amputated.

District Attorney Dawn Fink noted that Meacham's conduct was reckless because, as a victim of occasional seizures, he "should have known that his operation of a vehicle placed others at risk for death or serious bodily injury."

Meacham was placed in the Intermediate Punishment Program for 23 1/2 months, the first three of which will be spent in the Potter County Jail. At the end of three months, he will be released on electronic home detention for another 60 days. The defendant was also ordered to pay costs and fees, and to make restitution of nearly $7,000, plus perform 50 hours of community service. As a special condition, Meacham must take medication as required and may not hold a driver's license.