Former Southington Resident Sentenced in 2010 Motor Vehicle Death On I-91

Despite the impassioned pleas the victim’s family members for a penalty, an Enfield Superior Court judge on Thursday sentenced a former Southington resident to a three-year suspended prison sentence and three years of probation for charges stemming from a 2010 motor vehicle accident on I-91 that resulted in the 2010 death of Xavier Perez.

Justin Doughty, 28, was sentenced after pleading no contest to one count of misconduct with a motor vehicle, a felony, in late 2010. Charges of second-degree manslaughter and failure to drive in the proper lane were dropped.

Court records showed that in June 2010, Doughty struck Perez with his Ford Mustang in the HOV lane on Interstate-91 in Windsor, near exit 36. According to the court documents, Doughty had fallen asleep at the wheel.

Perez’ family, who are Windsor Locks residents, were tearful Thursday as they pleaded with Judge Howard Scheinblum to sentence Doughty to prison instead of suspending the sentence.

“This is not about revenge. This is about justice,” Maria DeLordes Perez, Xavier’s mother, said.

Luis Perez, Xavier’s brother, said that his wedding last year was incomplete because only the photo of his best man was present. Emily Perez, Xavier’s 10-year-old sister, presented Scheinblum with a photo album that included pictures of Xavier as well as several certificates of achievement that Xavier received for his schoolwork.

Moved by the Perez family’s statements, Scheinblum imposed probation with additional conditions, including 100 hours of community service at a center for addiction and recovery for each year of his probation and having his car outfitted with a device that prevents its operation if the driver has consumed alcohol because of the nature of the accident.

Scheinblum stressed, however, that Doughty was not legally intoxicated when he fell asleep at the wheel and struck Xavier Perez.

“What is justice here?” an exasperated Scheinblum asked rhetorically in Superior Court in Enfield Thursday. “This is the time when judges earn their pay.”

Doughty’s public defender said that his client had shown remorse during counseling and suffered from constant nightmares as a result of the accident. Doughty apologized when he had the opportunity to speak.

“I am sorry,” he said through tears. “I am so sorry.”