Court Watching: Dudek to teach young drivers about distracted driving

Keith Dudek has been sentenced to teach young drivers about the perils of being distracted while driving — since he knows first-hand it can be fatal.
On Aug. 24, 34th District Court Chief Judge Tina Brooks Green sentenced Dudek to 100 hours of community service at a victim’s location and ordered that a part of that service be telling those in Segment One of driver’s education about the dangers of being distracted while driving.
Judge Green pointed out that her 16-year-old daughter was sitting next to her on the bench to witness the sentencing, since she just started driver’s training classes.
On July 27, Dudek pled no contest to the civil infraction of operating a vehicle causing death. Judge Green set sentencing for Aug. 24, so the victim’s family could be present and speak before the sentence.
On Oct. 13, 2015 Dudek was driving his company box truck on the I-94 North Service Drive when he reached down to pick something up from the floor. That’s when he struck and killed Vonda Sue Wieczorek, 57, who was walking along the side of the road with her 25-year-old son Jack Anthony (“J.J.”).
Before sentencing, defense attorney Murray Duncan said, “This gentleman has never been in trouble before.”
Judge Green agreed that it was a “horrible, horrible accident.”
During investigation of the death, Van Buren Township police had obtained Dudek’s cell phone records and found he had not been using his cell phone during the accident.
“You take your eyes off the road for one moment and this can happen,” attorney Duncan said.
With community service, Dudek can tell others what can happen, Duncan said.
Judge Green said this can be a very important conversation with young drivers.
Other details of the sentencing included 18 months of probation, $1,000 in fines and costs, a driving class, and a psychiatric evaluation to see if there are any other issues.
The victim’s husband of 29 years, Jack W. Wieczorek, was given a chance to speak before sentencing, although Judge Green said she knew he couldn’t say much because of the civil suit he has brought against Dudek.
“I can say it was an accident,” Wieczorek said. “But, I drove a truck for 16 years and never injured anybody. I’d like to see more awareness.”
With Wieczorek in the courtroom were his son and his attorney. Dudek’s family also was present in the courtroom.
Judge Green gave Dudek a chance to speak, but said he probably shouldn’t because of the law suit. Dudek’s attorney said his client is truly sorry and this was an accident.
Judge Green said she expects restitution in the case to be settled by the law suit.
“I can always revisit it after the civil suit, but I don’t see that likely to happen,” she said.