Bloomfield, N.Y. - A teenager from Bloomfield pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges in the death of his friend who died last year after falling off the hood of his vehicle.
Jeremiah Acquilano pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide, and will serve 5 years probation avoiding prison. The maximum prison sentence is 1 1/3 to 4 years.
"It's unusual for a homicide charge but the facts of this case are somewhat unique," said Ontario County District Attorney Michael Tantillo.
Tantillo says proof at trial would have shown that Dyllon Brewster, 19, was the one to jump onto the hood of the moving truck in the first place. "He bears some of the responsiblity for setting the chain of events into motion," said Tantillo.
Instead of stopping, Tantillo said Acquilano "gunned it" reaching a speed of 33 miles per hour which caused his friend to lose his grip and fall to the ground striking his head.
Acquilano was granted youthful offender status and will serve five years probation. He must also complete 80 hours of community service. The high school senior has left school and is enrolled in a GED program.
He declined comment outside of court as did his parents.
"This is a tragic case, it should never have happened," said Tantillo. "A young man's life was lost needessly."
