MICHAEL ZIMBARDI

MICHAEL ZIMBARDI

Sentencing details

Michael Zimbardi was sentenced Monday after a January plea of no contest to vehicular homicide, a first-degree misdemeanor. He received the maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, with most of it suspended. Drugs or alcohol were not factors in the crash that killed Michael Fox, but Judge Diane Vettori said she was concerned about references Zimbardi made to them in comments on the Internet. The comments were included in a pre-sentencing investigation. Details of the sentencing follow:

Zimbardi was to report to the Mahoning County jail immediately after court Monday. He was to be released tonight, and within 10 hours of his release, he must take a drug and alcohol test. If the test is positive, he will report back to jail.

He must report to jail Oct. 31, Fox’s birthday, to serve two more days.

He must complete 400 hours of community service for organizations that help children, which Fox would have wanted, friends and family said.

His driver’s license is suspended for five years.

He must pay $250 of his fine.

During the entire time, Zimbardi will be subject to random drug and alcohol tests. If he fails, he will go to jail.

Judge Vettori said the “creative” sentencing allows her to try to prevent Zimbardi from repeating his crime without actually taking up space in the jail for a misdemeanant. She said jail space is tight, and felons must take priority.