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Long Prison Sentence in Fatal Drunk Driving Crash Case

Updated: Friday, February 8 2013, 07:49 PM EST
Long Prison Sentence in Fatal Drunk Driving Crash Case

DELAWARE -- A Blendon Twp. man with a long string of DUI convictions will spend nearly three decades in prison after being convicted of killing a young mother while driving drunk.
Marc Kraft was sentenced to the maximum penalty in a Delaware County courtroom Friday.

Kraft was drunk behind the wheel of a pick-up truck that slammed into a car carrying Heidi Hecker, her boyfriend, and their 10 month-old daughter on US-23 near Ohio 315 in November, 2012.

Hecker died at the scene; her boyfriend and baby daughter were hurt, but survived the crash.

Visiting Judge John Bender said the maximum penalty was necessary to make sure Kraft's drunk driving will no longer be a threat to the public.

"This is perhaps the most horrific form of this offense I have ever seen committed," Judge Bender said before sentencing Kraft to 29-and-a-half years in prison -- all but two-and-a-half years of which is mandatory.

In court Friday, Kraft apologized to Hecker's family.


"I just want to say I'm sorry, and I know sorry's not enough, but I am truly sorry," he said.

Hecker's relatives did not acknowledge the apology.

"I really could care less for his apology," said Carmen Hecker, the victim's sister.

Kraft has a history of charges and convictions for DUI, driving under suspension, theft, breaking and entering, and more. He has not held a valid driver's license for 20 years.

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Reporter: Tom Bosco
Web Producer: Ken Hines

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