The uncertain fate of Bruce Stanko's pharmaceutical wholesale distribution company is his problem and not worthy of the public's compassion or concern.

More important than his company's fate — whatever that might be — is the message Butler County Judge George Hancher delivered by refusing Stanko's emergency request for work release or release on bond to allow him to tend to his multimillion-dollar business.

That message is that repeat drunken-driving offenders — Stanko is a three-time DUI convict — shouldn't anticipate an easy ride in Butler County Court, regardless of their position.

A similar message came from Butler County District Attorney Randa Clark, who argued against Stanko's release, telling Hancher that Stanko's failure to make appropriate arrangements for his company's ongoing operations wasn't the court's emergency.

Stanko, 53, of Hampton Township, Allegheny County, was one of the drivers involved in a fatal crash on Jan. 18, 2005, that claimed the lives of the other driver, Linda Jenkins, 28, of Summit Township and her unborn son.

Jenkins was five months pregnant at the time of her death.

Stanko, who was acquitted of homicide by vehicle at a trial in July, was convicted of drunken driving at the same trial and jailed on Sept. 11, the day of his sentencing.

At the time of the crash in which Jenkins and her unborn child died, Stanko's blood-alcohol level was more than two times the state's legal limit of 0.08 percent. And, at the time of the crash, Stanko was out of jail on bond pending appeal of a DUIconviction in Allegheny County Court, as well as being under court order to stop drinking.

After the Butler County trial in July — a trial over which Hancher presided — the judge imposed a one- to five-year prison sentence.

On Sept. 22, less than two weeks after being ordered to the Butler County Prison, Stanko was back in court, claiming that his company might not be able to remain in operation without his leadership.

He predicted that his company might not last another 30 days without his involvement.

Stanko, who as of Friday was being lodged in the Greene County Prison, due to overcrowding at the Butler lockup, should have considered that possibility before ever getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while drunk.

Instead, his attitude in terms of continuing to drink projected arrogance and disrespect toward police, the justice system and motorists and pedestrians he placed at risk by driving drunk.

Whatever financial price Stanko pays as a result of that attitude is his fault and his fault alone.

Even if Jenkins was at fault for the crash, as Stanko was able to convince a jury in winning acquittal on the homicide-by-vehicle charge, Stanko might have been able to avoid the crash if he hadn't been impaired by alcohol.

Stanko's repeated disregard for the drunken-driving prohibition seems out of character for a man who claims that his company has a national presence. Most people would have thought that his everyday conduct would have reflected his important business responsibilities.

Stanko had a lot to lose by drinking and driving. Too bad he didn't understand that until it was too late.

Some people might disagree as to whether, as a three-time DUI convict, Stanko received a harsh-enough sentence from Hancher. That is an understandable reaction, considering that two lives were lost.

For now, the courts should remain steadfast that Stanko receives no special consideration, regardless of whether his business prospers or founders.