NEW CUMBERLAND - On Memorial Day last year, Michael Tangora stopped at home to see his parents on his way to get ice cream with his girlfriend. His mother gave him a hug and kiss and told him to be careful.
That was the last time Connie Tangora saw her son alive.
About 20 minutes later, the 34-year-old Hookstown, Pa., resident's life was cut short when an intoxicated Glenn Krugle III, driving his pickup truck on U.S. 30 near Chester at an estimated 93 mph, crossed the center line and struck Michael Tangora's oncoming vehicle head on.
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Photo by Ian Hicks
Glenn Krugle III of Monaca, Pa., right, appears in Hancock County Circuit Court on Friday, accompanied by his attorney, Robert McCoid.
Krugle learned Friday he will serve two to 10 years in prison for his actions that day.
Krugle, 25, of Monaca, Pa., pleaded guilty before Judge Martin Gaughan in Hancock County Circuit Court to one count of DUI causing death and one count of misdemeanor DUI causing bodily injury. Michael Tangora's girlfriend, Anita Bentz, also was injured in the wreck.
Gaughan sentenced Krugle to two to 10 years in prison on the DUI causing death charge and to one year for the misdemeanor, with those sentences to run concurrently. That means Krugle will be eligible for parole in less than two years, because according to the plea agreement, he will receive credit for the approximately 120 days of house arrest he has served since October. He also will be fined $1,200.
Gaughan said he would not recommend Krugle be paroled unless he undergoes extensive drug counseling while incarcerated.
"If there was any sentence available that would bring (Michael Tangora) back, I would impose that sentence," Gaughan said. "But there is no such sentence."
Prior to Krugle's sentencing, the victim's family addressed Krugle and the court, including statements from his two children, 13-year-old Kellen and 16-year-old Brittany.
"I loved him so much. ... Everyone loved him very much, and he loved them, too," states Kellen's letter, read by Hancock County Prosecutor James Davis Jr.
A tearful Brittany recalled her father as "a loving, caring dad and my best friend" as she spoke to the court.
"I would hope that one day Glenn (Krugle) realizes he has taken a huge piece of my life from me," she said.
Connie Tangora remembered rushing to the East Liverpool Hospital emergency room after hearing of the accident.
"Like any mother, I wanted to wrap my arms around him and tell him it would be OK," she said. "To lose a child is truly the most devastating, life-altering experience someone can go through."
Michael Tangora's father, Frank Tangora, said his son was "an excellent father" whose laugh and smile "could light up a room."
"Someday you will stand in front of a greater judge, and you will be judged," Frank Tangora told Krugle.
Bentz said while she had only been dating Michael Tangora a short time, he left a lasting impact on her life.
"Those weeks, I'll never forget. He touched my heart deeply," she said to Krugle. "You took him away from me, and I will never forgive you for that."
During the hearing, Krugle showed little emotion until Michael Tangora's family members began reading their statements, at which point Krugle began to wipe tears from his eyes. He broke down as he turned to face Tangora's family and friends seated in the courtroom, and he apologized for his actions.
"I wish I could take that day back, but surely I cannot," said Krugle. "I never meant to hurt anybody, let alone do something like this."
He was led away by police in handcuffs to be transported to the Northern Regional Jail and Correctional Facility in Moundsville.
Following the proceedings, Frank Tangora said he was satisfied with the court's sentence and that he gave Krugle "a lot of credit" for standing up and showing remorse.
"I did feel sorry for him," he said. "I wasn't looking to be vengeful. It doesn't satisfy my heart to see another individual suffer."
At the same time, he added, it's important for people to understand they must be responsible for their actions, and driving drunk is one of the most irresponsible actions one can take. Now, he and his family will begin to take the next step in the healing process.