SNOW HILL, Md. - Wednesday morning, a Worcester County judge found 48-year-old Andre Kaczynski guilty on all counts for the December 16th car crash which sent little Ava Del Ricco and her mom, Annmarie, to the hospital with life threatening injuries.
Andre Kaczynski showed up in Worcester County Circuit Court with hair cut short, and he did not hesitate when the judge asked him how he would plead. The Ocean Pines man waived his right to a jury trial and pleaded guilty to all 11 counts: 2 counts of causing life threatening injuries by motor vehicle while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance, 2 counts of possession of PCP, driving while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance, aggressive driving, reckless driving, negligent driving, failing to control speed and to avoid a collision, speeding and possession of marijuana.
The whole proceeding took less than an hour. But for the Del Ricco family, it was long enough. George, Annmarie and Ava made their way down from Baltimore to be in court. Annmarie was in tears as she listened to Worcester County State's Attorney, Beau Oglesby, recount the details of the car crash 7 months ago in Ocean City. George Del Ricco consoled her, while family members watched little Ava just outside the courtroom.
WMDT spoke exclusively with the Del Ricco's back in June about why it's so important for the family to attend all court proceedings and see this painful case come to a close. "It was a very sad moment," Annmarie told WMDT's Emily Lampa a month and a half ago. "This is a very sad place that I am in, in my life, and I think it helps build closure."
The judge ordered a pre-sentencing investigation, prior to sentencing, which could take up to 45 days.
The state's attorney tells WMDT, Andre Kaczynski could face up to 24 years in prison for his crimes. This is a small consolation for the Del Ricco's who tell WMDT no amount of time Kaczynski spends behind bars will return little Ava to the state she was in before the crash.
George Del Ricco also says the family is grateful they won't have to sit through a long drawn out trial. They were very happy to head home Wednesday night so they could be home to celebrate their daughter Sage's 5th birthday on Thursday. Sage is Ava's older sister.
WMDT attempted to speak with the fiancé of Andre Kaczynski who was also in court on Wednesday. But she quickly left after the court proceedings concluded.
Kaczynski is now at the Worcester County Jail and will be held without bond until sentencing. No word yet on a sentencing date.
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