Newark, N.Y. — A Marion man was sentenced to 2 to 6 years in state prison on Tuesday following a fatal motorcycle crash in November 2024, according to the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office.
Justin Krocke, impaired by drugs, lost control of his motorcycle on West Main Street while attempting to pass stopped vehicles around 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2024. Kelley Smith, 36, riding as a passenger, was ejected and later succumbed to her injuries at Newark Wayne Community Hospital, prosecutors said.
Authorities reported that Krocke sustained non-life-threatening injuries. He was charged with second-degree vehicular manslaughter, DWAI, reckless driving, and other traffic violations after turning himself in on Jan. 23, according to Newark Police.
Krocke ultimately pleaded guilty to the manslaughter charge.
District Attorney Christine Callanan stated, “A life was lost as a direct result of the defendant’s actions, and the impact of that loss is permanent and immeasurable.” She added that the court’s sentence reflects the seriousness of the offense.