PITTSFIELD — A 70-year-old truck driver has been found guilty of motor vehicle homicide in the death of Gary Litwin, whose car he struck on the Massachusetts Turnpike in 2021.
Stanley Kardys, of West Granby, Conn., was convicted Tuesday by a Central Berkshire District Court jury of motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation. He was sentenced to serve 90 days in jail by Judge Jennifer Tyne.
Prosecutors alleged that on April 23, 2021, Kardys was driving a tractor trailer and failed to brake as traffic headed into a construction zone in the eastbound lane near the Mile 15 marker in Becket — despite signage just up the road that warned motorists to reduce speeds for upcoming bridge work.
Prosecutors said that as Kardys approached a split in the roadway, he didn’t slow down and was going 65 miles per hour on cruise control when he plowed into Litwin’s Toyota Camry, which had slowed to 18 miles an hour.
A minivan was also involved in the crash, but the driver was unharmed.
Kardys didn’t press on his brakes until after the crash, according to the Berkshire District Attorney’s office.
Litwin, 69, and his wife, Diane, who was riding in the passenger seat, were trapped in the car. Both were seriously injured, and were tended to by a citizen who rushed over to help.
Lee EMS responded to take the couple to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. According to the Berkshire DA’s office, Gary Litwin died en route, while Diane Litwin was treated for injuries and survived.
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