Maximum sentence for Riverhead man in deadly crash

A Riverhead man was sentenced Thursday to the maximum of 25 years to life in prison for causing a March 2008 car crash in Farmingville that killed salesman Scott Foster of Manorville.

In a rambling speech before he was sentenced in Suffolk County Court in Riverside, John Licausi Jr., 51, said through tears that he took responsibility for the fatal crash. He also revealed to Foster's widow, Maureen, that his brother was the man who helped her build a makeshift memorial to Scott Foster at the accident scene. In the chance encounter, the brother had never introduced himself as the defendant's sibling, Licausi said.

But when Licausi blamed the crash on unspecified "underlying issues" and questioned police evidence against him, County Court Judge James Hudson interrupted him.

"If this is your idea of taking responsibility, you're not impressing the court," Hudson said.

Licausi was convicted in June of aggravated vehicular homicide, second-degree manslaughter, driving while impaired by drugs, fleeing from police and other charges in the death of Foster, 46, a father of three boys.

Prosecutors said Licausi was under the influence of cocaine and fleeing police, who wanted to question him in connection with his alleged theft of lawn equipment, when he crashed into a car driven by Foster at Horseblock Road and Old Medford Avenue.

Licausi's attorney, Mike Ahern of Sayville, said in court that Licausi "didn't choose to do evil." Ahern said he would appeal the verdict.

Maureen Foster, who had spoken at a prior hearing, said outside court that Licausi's speech "kind of floored me."

"I would like to think it was kind of genuine," she said. "I can't say I forgive him yet. But I'd like to work on it."

She said the sentence was fair, but added, "In the whole picture, nothing's fair."

"My children don't have their father," she said. "My in-laws don't have their son."

Before sentencing, Hudson classified Licausi as a persistent felony offender for prior convictions for forgery, burglary, attempted burglary and criminal possession of stolen property. The classification allowed Hudson to give Licausi a longer sentence.

Without it, Licausi had faced a maximum sentence of 12 1/2 to 25 years in prison. "The history of your life has been a criminal one for the last 20 years," Hudson told Licausi.

Assistant District Attorney Laura Newcombe said in court Licausi was "the most reprehensible" impaired-driving defendant she has prosecuted.