Dr. Yurich to serve 10 days in jail

By Justin Wier

jwier@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

In the time after her husband died, Jennie Cuppett said she drove home struggling to see the road through tears and contemplated driving into oncoming traffic.

Her husband, Neal Cuppett, 58, of Akron, died in a fatal Berlin Reservoir boat crash in 2015.

Dr. Joseph Yurich, 38, of Poland, was convicted of vehicular homicide and failure to stop after an accident for striking the boat Cuppett and his friend Bruce Lindamood were on board shortly after midnight on May 9 of that year.

“I hope [Neal Cuppett]’s death haunts Joe for the rest of his life,” Jennie Cuppett said at Dr. Yurich’s sentencing hearing Wednesday.

Judge John M. Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court sentenced Dr. Yurich to 180 days in the county jail for both first-degree misdemeanors he was convicted of with all but 10 days suspended.

Dr. Yurich also will serve 90 days of house arrest, five years of probation and perform 200 hours of community service providing medical services to those at the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley.

In addition, he is required to take a watercraft safety course, and his driver’s license will be suspended for one year with work privileges after 45 days.

Dawn Cantalamessa, an assistant county prosecutor, had asked the court to sentence Dr. Yurich to two consecutive six-month sentences, a five-year license suspension and $200,000 in fines.

“If you have the opportunity to save even one life as a result of community control, I believe that is justice,” Judge Durkin said.

Still, Judge Durkin said there was “no question” the doctor’s actions led to Cuppett’s death.

“I’m convinced that but for you speeding, Neal Cuppett would still be alive,” Judge Durkin said.

Defense attorney Lynn Maro presented the court with 165 letters from friends, patients, co-workers and those who served alongside him in the military testifying to Dr. Yurich’s character.

The letters, she said, depicted someone who has lived a life of service to other people.

She added the state medical board evaluated Dr. Yurich after the accident and he was permitted to continue working as a surgeon. He will have to report his conviction to the board as well.

Dr. Yurich told the judge he accepts full responsibility for the events that occurred that night.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t feel remorse or sympathy,” he said. “I will never forgive myself for the pain I have caused these people.”

Judge Durkin said he considered the letters Maro submitted when imposing the sentence.

“It’s clear from everyone that had contact with you, according to them, your actions [on May 9, 2015] are out of character.”

Jennie Cuppett did not share those feelings, however, telling the judge she finds the justice system appalling.

“Joe will get to go home from jail,” Jennie Cuppett said. “My husband will never get to go home.”