ALFRED — A 24-year-old Sanford man has been convicted of manslaughter and four counts each of aggravated assault and driving to endanger in connection with a deadly crash on New Dam Road in July 2010.
York County Superior Court Justice Paul Fritzsche found Zachary Bubar guilty on all nine counts following a two-day bench trial that wound down Friday afternoon.
A sentencing date will be determined; Fritzsche said it will take place sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Bubar was the driver of the 1998 Honda that crashed into a van on New Dam Road at about 8:30 p.m. that summer night. Shawn Beaulieu, 25, of Sanford, was in the front passenger seat. He was taken to the hospital, but later died of his injuries. In all, five others were seriously injured, emergency officials said at the time.
Bubar, according to police reports, had pulled into the northbound lane around a car that was signaling to make a right-hand turn and slammed into a van headed north.
Bubar and a passenger in the back seat were found on a lawn following the crash.
At the conclusion of closing arguments Friday, Fritzsche took note that two of the passengers in Bubar’s vehicle that night told him he was driving “way too fast.”
“They turned out to be right,” said the judge, noting that young people are often reluctant to criticize the driving habits of others their own age.
Fritzsche said Bubar was criminally negligent and ignored the warnings. He came across the vehicle, which was braking to make the right-hand turn, and because of his speed, couldn’t stop, the judge indicated.
Assistant District Attorney Thaddeus West asked that Bubar, who has been free on bail, be incarcerated pending sentencing.
Defense attorney Clifford Strike pointed out that Bubar has no prior criminal record and has always shown up for court appearances.
Fritzsche said Bubar did not appear to be a flight risk and citing his lack of criminal history, ordered he remain free on bail until sentencing.
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, Ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.
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