Rosetta T. RizzoLutherville, Md.

I read online the Butler Eagle article of Aug 15 about the plea arrangement of 29-year-old Matthew Menchyk of Butler Township, whose vehicle struck Joseph and Edward Pasqualini on Jan. 19, 2009, while they were walking on a highway in Slippery Rock Township. Menchyk's blood-alcohol level was recorded as 0.207, more than double the level considered intoxicated under state law.
According to the terms of the plea arrangement with the Butler County District Attorney's Office, Menchyk will face only 72 hours of a potential 6 months in prison.
What a travesty of justice. That is why drunken driving remains a terrible problem in this country. Judges and prosecutors are far too lenient on the offenders, and uncaring about the victims.
Menchyk will be required to pay restitution, but there is no way he will be able to come up with a significant part of the medical expenses of Joseph Pasqualini, who remains a quadriplegic following the accident.



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