The Lusby man who rammed his truck into the rear of another vehicle in Chesapeake Beach on Christmas afternoon was sentenced Friday to 12 years active time for causing the crash that changed the life of a Chesapeake Beach woman forever.

Before Judge Warren J. Krug sentenced Stephen Stanley, 25, in the Calvert County Circuit Court, Krug said that the police report was “chilling,” and he read a statement in the report that Stanley told police at the crash scene: “I wanted to hit something really hard and fast.” Stanley, who was said to be distraught over a breakup with a girlfriend, was driving on Route 261, which has a 40 mph posted speed limit, at 125 mph in a work truck that weighed nearly 4 tons, Calvert County Assistant State’s Attorney Andrew Rappaport said prior to sentencing.

“He almost killed two people,” Rappaport said, telling the court that the speed was so excessive the seat belts ripped, causing the driver Alex Olynik, then 17 years old, and his mother, Becky Olynik of Chesapeake Beach, to be ejected from their 2003 Ford Explorer, which was unrecognizable after it was hit.

Alex Olynik only suffered minor injuries, but Becky Olynik suffered a brain injury and was in a coma for three weeks and in the hospital for nearly three months, and she testified that the debilitating effects of the crash continue.

Rappaport asked for 10 years, the maximum for a vehicular homicide charge, for Stanley’s June 15 plea to second-degree assault, saying that the guidelines of six months to three years are not appropriate in this case given the level of harm.

Prior to sentencing Stanley, Krug read out loud from the presentence investigation report that relays Stanley had three prior charges of driving on a suspended license and three counts of operating a boat without certification. He also said that Stanley, who admitted in the PSI report he used marijuana as recently as August, said he did not believe in mental health counseling or alcohol abuse treatment, and he did not follow up with aftercare after finishing a 28-day treatment program.

“So we get a picture,” Krug said, adding that he is not sure if it is arrogance causing Stanley’s decisions, and he cannot ignore his “horrific actions.”

Stanley’s attorney, Edwin Staples of Annapolis, called Stanley immature and agreed that he needs to go to jail but also spoke of his volunteer work at SMILE, even early that Christmas Day, and asked the judge to give him local time with less than 18 months active.

Stanley, who had a blood alcohol level of .14 and was driving on a suspended license at the time of the crash, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault, driving under the influence and driving on a suspended license, and also was sentenced a year each for the violations.

Becky Olynik read a victim impact statement telling the court that she is in constant pain and no longer can work or drive and she lost her independence.

“Words do not come to me when I try to have a conversation,” she read from prepared notes while sitting due to ongoing balance issues.

Victim statements from her husband, David Olynik, Alex, her younger son, Zachary, and a friend who has helped take care of her told of how her personality has changed and that it is painful for them to see her suffer.

Olynik, who worked as a real estate appraiser with her husband, said that the family has suffered a financial hardship due to hospital bills and her not being able to work.

Staples suggested to leave any restitution up to the civil process, saying that he has not received any bills, but Krug decided to leave restitution open as part of the sentence.

Prior to being sentenced, Stanley stood up and looked at the Olynik family and said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you all contrary to what you believe.” He said his actions were inexcusable and he did not deserve their forgiveness. Both his mother and father, who said that they raised him better, also apologized to the family and asked the judge for leniency and to be placed where he can receive treatment.

Becky Olynik has filed a motor tort case against Stanley and his father, Stephen E. Stanley of Lusby, who was his employer at the time of the crash. According to court records, a pretrial hearing is scheduled for March 1, 2012.

charvat@somdnews.com