In a highly emotional hearing that even caused the voice of Judge Greg Como to waver, Alex Bashaw, 28, of Fountain Hills was sentenced in connection with the deaths of four pedestrians at a busy town intersection in March 2018.

The victims of the collision were Karen and Robert Bonta of Iowa and Patti and Ronald Doornobos of Canada. They were walking on the sidewalk and in the crosswalk at Saguaro Boulevard and Panorama Drive at Fountain Park when Bashaw’s vehicle went out of control and onto the sidewalk and back into the street, striking all four.

Como ruled that Bashaw should serve six years in prison for each of the four counts of negligent homicide. Those terms are to be served concurrently, and Bashaw receives credit for the 375 days he has been in custody.

Bashaw pleaded guilty to the charges which were reduced from four counts of manslaughter/reckless in a plea agreement.

Near the close of the hearing that lasted more than two hours on Friday, July 19, Como said his decision had been through a process up to that point.

“It is a decision you can’t really make until you hear from everyone,” he said. “It is obvious [the victims] were all very genuinely good people, the kind of people anyone would be lucky to have as a parent, brother, sister or friend.”

Como said this is an extremely tragic situation and a difficult decision. “I accept the responsibility, but it is not something I relish.”

In describing thoughts that go into sentencing Como discussed retribution or punitive reasons and deterrent. He said with regard to deterrent, he does not believe Bashaw will ever do anything like this again.

Como said the loss to the victims’ families was “profound and permanent,” but added he does believe in rehabilitation and believes Bashaw is profoundly remorseful. Como said he hopes Bashaw can be part of spreading the message of what distracted driving can do.

In a soft, breaking voice Bashaw told the victims’ family members that were present for the hearing that he wishes he could go back and change the events that took place that morning.

“I understand that my actions have taken something that cannot be replaced,” Bashaw said. “I’m so sorry.”

Families

The family of Robert and Karen Bonta presented a video slideshow that had been prepared for the memorial service for the couple. Dozens of photos showed their love of family, travel and community service. Each member of the family attending the hearing was wearing a pin with a photo of the couple.

Their daughter, Barbara, called on the court to imagine having the people most influential in your life suddenly taken from you. She said she believed the maximum sentence (16 years) was fair for Bashaw to be deprived of family and friends.

She added that she hoped he would change his life and make this wrong right by doing something better with his life.

The Bontas’ son told the court that no amount of time will bring his parents back.

“I leave it to the court to be fair,” he said. “These were loving, helpful, compassionate people and they had so much more to do.”

The daughter of Ron Doornobos was present and in an emotional speech painted a loving relationship between father and daughter.

“To be killed at 60 is not how his life should have ended,” she said. “Your [Bashaw’s] actions may not have been intentional but they were reckless.”

The court heard video testimony from the sisters of Patti Doornobos.

“I hope you accept your sentence with dignity and make every effort to change the man you are and become the man you can be,” was the sentiment of one sister.

Bashaw’s sister, Abigail, said their mother had raised her children with a good foundation in life, and noted that Alex was very vigilant in seeing pain in others and was willing to step up and do whatever he could to help, even at a young age.

A family friend told the court that Bashaw was highly intelligent, compassionate to those he met and giving to others.

“He is going to carry this burden for the rest of his life,” she said. “It was a mere tragic accident, there was no malicious intent, he got out to help the victims.

“It will only hurt to put this bright, loving young man in prison.”

Bashaw’s mother, Carolyn, said he was a “bright light in the family,” respectful and intelligent.

“He is so very sorry; give him a chance to redeem himself.”

The prosecutor in the case told the court of Bashaw’s earlier run-ins with the law and confirmed he was contacted by law enforcement earlier on the morning of the collision, although no details of this were presented in the hearing. Investigators determined he was not impaired at the time of the crash.

Como said he believes the community at large needs to hear more media coverage about cases like this. He said the news includes murders and sex crimes but tragic cases like this do not get coverage.

“I believe there is a need for greater public awareness,” Como said.

This collision prompted the Fountain Hills Town Council to enact a ban on texting and driving. Since this time other distracted driving incidents, including one involving the death of a police officer for the Salt River Pima Maricopa Tribal community and a pedestrian struck by an autonomous vehicle in Tempe, prompted the legislature to enact a statewide ban on the use of any electronic device while behind the wheel if it requires hand use.