Victim impact statements read in Fulton County crash case

JOHNSTOWN, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- It was an emotional day in Fulton County Court on Friday. Victim impact statements were read in the case against the driver who caused a serious crash in Mayfield in 2023.

Owen Marek admitted to driving while impaired last November. Prosecutors said his truck crossed into the wrong lane of Route 29A and collided head-on with another vehicle. The other driver, Evan Wieczenski, suffered serious injuries and spent weeks in a coma.

Evan was in the Air Force National Guard. While he survived the crash, Evan's loved ones said the crash has forever altered his life and theirs.

"Most of what I will be talking about will sound like Evan has passed away," his father Kevin Wieczenski said. "It’s obvious he hasn’t, but who he was did pass away on November 18, 2023 due to the tragic accident caused by Owen and his friends."

"I will never begin to understand why there were so many terrible choices that were made that night by so many people," his stepmother Courtney said. "It’s selfish, if you ask me.  To only think about yourself, and for it to never cross your mind that you may possibly hurt someone else with your poor choices.  Owen changed our lives forever on that night."

Marek read a prepared statement apologizing for causing the crash. His attorney hopes the case will teach others a valuable lesson.

"It's just a reminder that you can't drink and drive. It's a mistake. It's a bad choice. It's a bad decision. It puts lives at risk, and it's just another reminder that drinking and driving just cannot happen."