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Countian pleads guilty in best friend's road death
Intelligencer Journal
Lancaster New Era
Aug 12, 2009 08:26 EST
Lancaster
By JANET KELLEY, Staff Writer

A Kinzers man hugged his best friend's father in Lancaster County Court on Tuesday, apologizing for the traffic accident that killed his friend.

Thomas Sensenig, 25, pleaded guilty to a charge of homicide by vehicle stemming from the crash in January. The accident resulted in the death of his passenger and best friend, Jeremiah Eisenhower, 25, of Gordonville.

On Tuesday morning, as Sensenig pleaded guilty to the charge, he apologized to his friend's father, David Eisenhower, who was sitting in the courtroom.

Eisenhower came to the front of the courtroom and shared an embrace with the young man.

Sensenig, who remains free on bail, will be sentenced at a later date after completion of a background investigation.

The accident happened early on the morning of Jan. 18 as Sensenig was driving on Cherry Hill Road, just north of Route 741, in Paradise Township.

Assistant District Attorney Todd Brown said that Sensenig crested a hill and suddenly came upon a horse-drawn buggy in front of him.

He swerved to avoid hitting the buggy, but he hit a utility pole and ended up in a cornfield.

Sensenig was not injured, but Eisenhower was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sensenig, who will be sentenced by Lancaster County Court Judge Margaret Miller, was represented by defense attorney Robert Beyer.

According to a newspaper story at the time of his death, Jeremiah Eisenhower was a 2002 graduate of Pequea Valley High School. He attended Paradise Bible Fellowship Church of Paradise, where he was active in the Young Adult Ministry.

E-mail: jkelley@lnpnews.com


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Showing 5 most recent comments out of 9 total TalkBack comments about this article
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QUOTE (DelcoGirl @ Aug 12 2009, 10:47 AM)
If we have the entire story here, it almost makes a person think twice about letting anyone get in the car with you.

the entire story IS NOT here. There ARE other reasons for admitting guilt and beleive me in this very sad acident, there is. It is ok to ask the questions you are asking but to then answer your own question WITH any facts, is just POOR to say the least.
FATHER OF JEREMIAH
QUOTE (FATHER OF JEREMIAH @ Aug 12 2009, 10:59 AM)
the entire story IS NOT here. There ARE other reasons for admitting guilt and beleive me in this very sad acident, there is. It is ok to ask the questions you are asking but to then answer your own question WITH any facts, is just POOR to say the least.

It's obvious in the article the entire story is not here. Common sense says it's not the full story and I don't know either young man. I praise you for hugging the young man in the court room. That had to have taken a lot. God bless you. My prayers are with you.
Innocent
QUOTE (FATHER OF JEREMIAH @ Aug 12 2009, 10:59 AM)
the entire story IS NOT here. There ARE other reasons for admitting guilt and beleive me in this very sad acident, there is. It is ok to ask the questions you are asking but to then answer your own question WITH any facts, is just POOR to say the least.

Dave - I went to church with your family years ago - and I think I had Jeremiah in a Pioneer Clubs class - I remember him being a special, happy, kind little boy. I can't imagine the pain and grief in losing a child, and I am so sorry for this very tough trial. I was puzzled by the article, too, but I don't need to know what happened - that's between you, the driver, and the court. I wish you grace and peace as you move forward and until you see Jeremiah again. If you've never listened to Steve Curtis Chapman's song "With Hope," give it a listen - it will bless you, I think.
ScottM
Have to love the Amish and the road hazards they cause.
mikeydiablo
QUOTE (mikeydiablo @ Aug 13 2009, 11:56 AM)
Have to love the Amish and the road hazards they cause.

I drive my vehicle that I expect the amish to be everywhere and always have my vehicle under control.
sandyinholtwood
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