Man heading to state prison after State College-area crash that left another paralyzed
A Benner Township man who abandoned his childhood friend that was paralyzed in a 2020 crash was sentenced Thursday to at least 2 1/2 years in state prison.
Brandon Jones, 31, slammed a 2005 Toyota Highlander into a tree about midnight along East College Avenue in College Township, State College police wrote in an affidavit of probable cause. The crash paralyzed Ronald “Matt” Rockey.
Jones did not call 911, Centre County Assistant District Attorney Matt Metzger wrote in a 32-page court document. He instead pulled Rockey from the vehicle and called two friends in an attempt to avoid arrest.
Justin Reish, 33, called for emergency help despite Jones “begging him not to,” Metzger wrote. The two left Rockey in a field, attempted to hide the vehicle and fled.
“There is little reason to doubt that but for the actions of Justin, Matt may very well have passed away in that dark field,” Metzger wrote to county Judge Brian Marshall. “The defendant’s actions made clear that there was no scenario under which he was going to get Matt help since doing so was going to get him in trouble. He thought only of himself.”
Jones was released from state prison less than three months before the crash. He racked up 13 convictions between 2006 and 2019; most were either because of alcohol or illegal drug use. None were more serious than a misdemeanor.
He began using illegal drugs as a teenager and was addicted to heroin and methamphetamine, defense lawyer Karen Muir said. He and Rockey used heroin in the hours before the crash, police wrote.
“The defendant took so much from Matt when he drove impaired, moved Matt after the crash to try to cover the crime and would not even call him an ambulance,” Metzger wrote. “Each action was a choice. Each time he (chose) himself over Matt.”
Rockey recounted the fallout from the crash as he sat in a wheelchair, saying “every issue with my body is a direct outcome” of the crash.
He estimated spending upward of eight months in various hospitals, accrued millions of dollars in medical bills, is unable to open his hands and has had to fight for custody of his four children.
His mother described offering around-the-clock care, adding her “whole life has been turned upside down.”
“It’s going to be a long road back, but I will get back,” Rockey said before speaking to Jones. “... If I wasn’t moved from the vehicle and the ambulance was called immediately, I wouldn’t be sitting right here. We grew up together; I thought we were very close. I would have never done that.”
Jones was released on bail after charges were filed, but continued using illegal drugs.
He was charged twice in July 2020; once for heroin possession and once for crashing into a construction site while under the influence of fentanyl.
Jones pleaded guilty in September to one felony count of accidents involving personal injury and one misdemeanor count each of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and DUI. Four misdemeanor charges and three summary traffic violations were dropped.
He apologized to Rockey before his sentence was handed down.
“I made a weak decision,” Jones said. “In the end, I was weak and I was worried and I did not make the right decision. ... I didn’t intend for it.”
Added Rockey in response: “Brandon, I just want to say I forgive you.”
Jones’ maximum sentence handed down by Marshall is six years. He received credit for about 15 months already served in the Centre County Correctional Facility.
Misdemeanor charges of hindering apprehension and evidence tampering are pending against Reish.