A Minnesota motorist has been sentenced to just one year in jail after causing a fatal collision that claimed the life of a mother and left her young son with serious injuries. The tragic incident occurred during foggy morning conditions when the driver was travelling at more than double the posted speed limit.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing Details
Jesse Kowalczak, now 22 years old, received his sentence on Friday in St Louis County District Court, comprising 364 days of incarceration alongside five years of supervised probation. The young man had previously entered a guilty plea to the charge of criminal vehicular homicide, acknowledging he had operated his vehicle in a grossly negligent manner that resulted in fatal consequences.
Originally facing an additional count of criminal vehicular operation, this second charge was dismissed as part of the negotiated plea agreement reached between prosecution and defence teams. The resolution brings the criminal aspect of this heartbreaking case to a close, though civil proceedings continue separately.
The Tragic Morning of May 13, 2022
The collision unfolded shortly before 9am on May 13, 2022, at the intersection of Ugstad Junction Road and S Ugstad Road on the outskirts of Duluth. Meteorological conditions presented significant challenges that morning, with dense fog reducing visibility substantially—so much so that emergency response crews reported needing to reduce their own speeds while travelling to the accident scene.
According to investigative reports from the Minnesota State Patrol, Kowalczak—who was just 18 years old at the time—had been travelling between 72 and 89 miles per hour along a roadway with a clearly posted 40mph limit. The excessive velocity proved catastrophic when he collided with a vehicle driven by 48-year-old Leah Sarko, who was executing a turn at the junction.
Impact on the Sarko Family
The violent impact struck Sarko's vehicle broadside, causing it to overturn at least once before coming to rest approximately 200 feet from the initial point of contact. Medical examination determined that Leah Sarko succumbed almost immediately to multiple blunt-force trauma injuries sustained in the crash.
Her son Evan, then just 11 years old, survived the collision but sustained significant injuries including a concussion and multiple bone fractures. The young boy's recovery proved arduous, requiring him to use a wheelchair for several weeks following the accident. Remarkably, he managed to return to school in time to participate in his fifth-grade graduation ceremony.
A poignant detail from Sarko's obituary noted that her "last act was casting her momma bubble over her son to save him during the accident," highlighting the maternal instinct that persisted even in those final moments. A subsequent GoFundMe campaign established to assist the family with funeral and medical expenses surpassed its $18,000 target, ultimately raising $19,440 from compassionate donors.
Judicial Considerations and Alternative Sentence
Presiding Judge Nicole Hopps structured Kowalczak's jail term unconventionally, dividing the 364-day sentence into five separate segments of approximately 73 days each. These incarceration periods are scheduled to coincide with the anniversary of the fatal crash over the coming five years, with provisions for work release during these intervals.
Beyond confinement, the court mandated additional rehabilitative measures including 60 hours of annual community service and a minimum of six speaking engagements each year with local educational institutions or driver awareness programmes. Through these appearances, Kowalczak will share his experience to illustrate the devastating consequences of reckless driving behaviour.
During sentencing proceedings, Kowalczak's defence attorney Chris Stocke presented nearly fifty character reference letters and commissioned multiple expert analyses that produced varying speed estimates—some as low as 43mph. Stocke successfully petitioned for departure from standard state sentencing guidelines, citing his client's youth, previously clean record, and demonstrated community support.
Emotional Courtroom Statements
Kowalczak offered a heartfelt statement during his guilty plea hearing, describing the crash as "the worst day of my life" and expressing ongoing anguish. "I have asked myself every day since the accident: Why me?" he shared with the court. "Why did I live? … It should have been me."
Judge Hopps responded with words of both admonition and encouragement during the sentencing hearing. "I do hope you take advantage of this opportunity to continue to better your life and make sure some good can come out of this for yourself and your community," she advised. "I hope you are able to reach some youth and prevent something like this from happening again."
Ongoing Civil Proceedings
While the criminal case has reached resolution, Timothy Sarko—Evan's father and Leah's husband—has initiated separate civil litigation seeking wrongful death damages. This lawsuit names both Jesse Kowalczak and his parents as defendants and continues to progress through the legal system independently of the concluded criminal matter.
The tragic events of that foggy May morning have left enduring impacts on all involved—a family mourning an irreplaceable loss, a young man confronting the consequences of momentary poor judgement, and a community reminded of the fragility of life on the roads.
