The nearly year-long saga revolving around the death of a Genesee County Road Commission worker has come to an end’at least as far as the legal system is concerned.
But for Flushing resident Patricia Bundy’widow of Dennis Bundy, 48, who died as a result of the incident? the consequences of that day last June continue to resonate.
‘When someone loses a loved one so senselessly, there’s really no sentence that could be great enough. However, Mr. Quillen is being held accountable and I guess that’s all I can ask for. I’m not going to harbor any ill feelings over whether it was three years or it was 30 (that he was sentenced to serve),? said Patricia.
John Quillen, 64, of Goodrich, pleaded guilty to manslaughter with a motor vehicle and driving while his license was suspended, second offense, in April.
The charges stem from the death of Bundy, who was doing survey work for the GCRC near the intersection of M-15 and Maple Road in the township on the morning of June 22, 2006 and was apparently crossing the road when he was struck by a southbound 2006 Chevy TrailBlazer driven by Quillen. Quillen’s license had been revoked since 1997 due to a childhood injury that resulted in poor vision.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton did not respond to a request for comment, but previously told The Citizen the fact Quillen was driving without a license only worsened the matter.
‘The real tragedy in all of this is that Mr. Quillen never should have been driving,? said Leyton. ‘The minute he got behind the wheel, he was breaking the law. Due to his disrespect for the law and his decision to drive with severe vision problems and a revoked license, he will now be going to prison and will bear a tragic memory that will haunt him the rest of his life.?
Quillen was sentenced before Judge Judith Fullerton on June 29 in Genesee County Circuit Court. He received a sentence of 365 days in jail for operating a vehicle with a suspended license, second offense, and 47 months to 22 and a half years in jail for manslaughter with a motor vehicle.
Additionally, Quillen will be financially responsible for preparation and 90-day rental of a billboard in the Flint area, at the request of Bundy’s family.
‘I thought it was just a phenomenal idea,? said Patricia, adding that while she was unsure what the billboard would say, it would stress safety in construction zones.
And while the sentencing brought with it a sense of relief for Patricia, she said there were times when the process seemed painfully slow for her and her children, ages 14 and 17.
‘To me, every day just seemed to drag and drag,? said Patricia. ‘It was a long time for me and my children to be without their father knowing that (Quillen) was still with his family.?
And while her own family goes on in the wake of their loss, Patricia said a little extra caution on the part of drivers in construction zones can prevent the tragedy from repeating.
‘Be careful out there and respect the road workers,? said Patricia. ‘They’re out there for us, so give them a break.?