Judge John Enlow sentenced the 19-year-old to serve two years for his conviction on a charge of aggravated vehicular homicide, a third-degree felony, for the death of Susan Polito, 18. Sherman also was sentenced to another 12 months for a charge of aggravated vehicular assault, a fourth-degree felony, for the serious injuries Andrew Ramos, also of Stow, suffered during the April 7 crash on Judson Road.
"The harm was great in this," Enlow said. "For that reason, we order the terms to be served consecutively."
The Ohio Highway Patrol estimated Sherman was driving at speeds up to 97 mph when his car swerved off the road, struck a fence, a utility pole and a tree.
Sherman briefly addressed the court before he was sentenced, turning to face the families and friends of Polito and Sherman, as well as a few members of his own family.
"There will be no winners here at all," Sherman said. "This is a tragedy. I hope everyone here will find the peace that I have with this, and then you can continue on."
Enlow convicted Sherman on the two felony charges as well as on a charge of involuntary manslaughter, also a third-degree felony, after a nonjury trial in August. The involuntary manslaughter and the aggravated vehicular assault charges were merged for purposes of sentencing, Enlow said.
Sherman will not be eligible for early release from prison because Enlow ruled Sherman was under the influence of alcohol when he committed the crimes. Sherman's driver's license also was suspended for life.
Polito's parents and two sisters stood together to address the court after a video was played showing baby pictures and family snapshots of Polito as she grew up. They described how the girl they fondly called "Susie" was taken from them too soon, leaving a void that cannot be filled.
"Susie was given a death sentence," said Jim Churchill, Ramos' uncle who also gave a victim's impact statement in court. "Andy was given a life sentence."
Ramos' parents and one of his brothers, also told of the tragedy the crash brought to their family.
"It was a crash; it wasn't an accident," Joyce Ramos said of the incident that maimed her son, who since has had a portion of his skull removed to decrease the pressure in his brain and will never regain the use of one side of his body. "Our son will spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
"I know it wasn't Bill's intention to ever harm anyone, but everyone else is paying a very high price," Joyce Ramos said of Sherman, calling his actions "careless, senseless and random."
Joyce Ramos said her son's hospital bills from Akron General Medical Center totaled more than $300,000, and the rehabilitation center where he now is treated costs $7,000 per week.
"I have no idea how my family will ever pay for that when the time comes," she said of the day when her family's insurance hits its maximum payout.
Sherman's attorney, James Kersey, told the court there was nothing he or Sherman could say to make things better.
"(Sherman) is going to be thinking about Susie and Andy 'til the day he dies," Kersey said. "We can't change the facts. He's admitted his guilt to me. He's indicated he was sorry to the Ramos (family)."
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