Man gets time served for charges stemming from crash that killed 7-term Pennsylvania lawmaker

Pa. man sentenced in fatal lawmaker crash case

STROUDSBURG, Pa. — A man acquitted of vehicular homicide in the death of a Pennsylvania lawmaker is free after being sentenced to time already served on other charges.

Monroe County President Judge Ronald Vican sentenced 46-year-old Thomas Senavitis, of Kunkletown, Monday on charges stemming from the 2008 crash that killed state Sen. James Rhoades in the Poconos.

A jury convicted Senavitis of reckless endangerment and drunken driving, but acquitted him of more serious charges.

Authorities say Senavitis was driving drunk on Oct. 17, 2008, when his pickup collided with the car driven by the seven-term Republican from Schuylkill County. Rhoades’ wife was also seriously injured in the crash.

Defense attorneys say Rhoades crossed the center line, causing the head-on collision.