Family Gets Probation For Teen's Death

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By Miranda Grossman

Just days after the second anniversary of a Northampton teen's death, a judge sentenced the family members who provided him with the alcohol.

Edgar Lesko, his wife Deborah and their son Andrew were sentenced in Springfield Superior Court Tuesday. The three pleaded guilty to providing alcohol at their Northampton home to 19 year old David Holman in July of 2007.

Holman was friends with Andrew Lesko and were drinking together with a group of underage friends at Lesko's house. On his way home, Holman flipped over and hit a tree on Ryan Road. A deadly crash that cut short a bright future.

"Not in our wildest imagination would we think that our son wouldn't come home that night but after drinking a few beers, he lost control and that was it," Jeffrey Holman, David's father.

Under the state's social host law, it is illegal to give anyone under the age of 21 alcohol, even in your own home. A message the Holman family wants to prevent from happening to other families.

"People should not let kids drink alcohol in their homes because as we found out tragedy can happen in an instant," said Holman.

Edgar Lesko was a 25 year veteran and former captain of the Northampton Fire Department. He was put on leave after the accident, and has since retired. It has also been reported that Lesko suffers from bi-polar disorder. Part of his probation conditions require him to have mental health treatment.

All three family members were placed on probation. Jeffrey Holman says he's happy it is over. But has mixed emotions about the sentencing.

"We were hoping there would be jail time for Mr. Lesko so the people in Western Mass would see and hear this law will be enforced," said Holman.

But while Holman wanted to see jail time, he also said the two families have known each other for years. At the last trial they did speak to each other, and Holman hopes both can move on.

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Anonymous said on Thursday, Aug 6 at 9:49 PM

They made a mistake providing the alcohol. Your son is the one who made the mistake of driving. They should not receive jail time.

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