By JON BAKER

PROVIDENCE — Assistant Attorney General Jay Sullivan called the sentencing of Lincoln teen-ager Andrew T. Bessette “very emotional.”

That statement from the prosecutor came Thursday, after Superior Court Judge Daniel A. Procaccini sentenced the 18-year-old to a year at the Adult Correctional Institution's minimum-security facility (seven years suspended with probation) after being accused of speeding down a Wilbur Road hill and careening into a tree at the intersection of Longmeadow Road on the afternoon on Oct. 15, 2007.
The ensuing accident resulted in the death of his cousin, high school sophomore Marissa Lorea, who was 15 at the time. Fellow schoolmate Amanda Coderre, who had been in the back seat, suffered a fractured neck.
According to Lincoln Police Capt. Raymond Bousquet, Bessette was charged with driving to endanger/death resulting and also driving to endanger/serious bodily injury resulting, each a felony. Approximately 10 days ago, Bessette — with defense lawyer William Murphy — chose to plead “no contest” to both.
On that second charge, Procaccini sentenced Bessette to 100 hours of community service and a driver's license suspension until age 21.
A tearful Bessette explained to the court how sorry he was, and that he didn't have words to explain the depth of his sorrow, or his love for his cousin.
“Obviously, Mr. (John) Lorea addressed the court; I can't imagine the pain both families are going through,” Sullivan stated. “As a prosecutor, there's nothing we can do that could make it better for the Lorea family.
“Mr. Lorea and I have been in constant contact for almost two years now, and we've worked in unison for justice,” he added. “No matter what we were able to achieve, he and his wife (Sandra) still lost their daughter, and the family lost a major part of their being.”
Sullivan indicated there was no evidence at all of alcohol on the scene, which is why it was deemed a reckless driving case.
“We went through the sentencing guidelines, and one thing Mr. Lorea requested was one year in jail,” he said. “The court sentenced him to eight years, with 27 months to serve. The first 12 will be in minimum security, and the next 15 months under the (electronically-monitored) home confinement program, which is also considered a prison sentence.
“That was one of his goals, his wishes, but it was very tough.”
On that October afternoon, police have stated, Bessette – known for a passion for his vehicle to be airborne while speeding down the tight Wilbur Road – was traveling an estimated 70 mph (in a 25-mph zone) when he swerved to miss a car traveling in the opposite direction.
A message left on the Lorea family phone was not immediately returned.
“It was obvious to officers at the scene that he had been speeding, apparently a very high rate of speed for that roadway,” said Lime Rock Fire Chief Frank Sylvester, who was at the crash site less than three minutes after it occurred. “He lost control of the vehicle, and an innocent life was lost.
“It was a horrific scene,” he continued. “Wilbur Road is very hilly, and – as he went down it – it appeared the vehicle had just kind of flown. It seemed he lost control of the wheel. I remember it, (because) the car took down a couple of good-sized trees … If you're breaking the speed limit on a road like that, you're in for problems.
“I know both families, and I feel so bad for both of them. It was an accident that never should have happened.”
Bessette's one-year sentence will begin next Thursday, as Murphy requested and Procaccini granted.