Buffalo, NY (WBEN) The sister of a woman killed by a drunk driver says she was pleasantly surprised by the sentencing of Doctor James Corasanti.



"I believe depending on each case, it's different. It's a unique scenario depending on each DWI case," says Deanna Russo, who founded Crusade Against Impaired Driving after a drunk driver killed her sister Karen in 1998. "There was an outcry from the community after the verdict, and many wanted to see a one year jail term in the sentencing. I was trying to keep in perspective it was just a DWI charge. The fact (Judge Sheila DiTullio) put him in jail for a year. I'm sure that gives Alix Rice's family a little sense of justice. No sentence will bring that young lady back, but hopefully this will provide them a little peace of mind he won't be on the streets for a year."

Russo says she's pleased with the ignition interlock device portion of the sentence. "It's very important because it allows a device to keep track of when you're drinking. It's become a staple of DWI cases nationwide," says Russo. "They have to blow into the device and measures your BAC before the car starts. Once he gets his license back, that will be key."

Russo believes the sentence sends a message. "DWI is taken seriously and Western New York and should be taken seriously everywhere. Just because a majority of the verdicts handed down in court came back not guilty, does not mean he has avoided all responsibility for this case. He was drinking and driving," notes Russo.