Judge to decide penalty for man in deadly restaurant crash

WOBURN, Mass. – A man charged with driving an SUV that crashed into a Massachusetts pizza restaurant, killing two people and injuring seven, wants to avoid prison in exchange for a possible guilty plea.

Bradford Casler’s attorney and prosecutors pushed their sentencing recommendations Monday in court. A judge says he’ll decide by the end of the week what penalty he’ll impose if Casler admits to charges in the 2016 Sweet Tomatoes restaurant crash in Newton.

Defence attorney Thomas Giblin says Casler will go to trial if a significant prison sentence is imposed. He says Casler should be sentenced to home confinement and forfeit his driver’s license. Prosecutors want Casler to serve five years behind bars.

The defence argues Casler’s multiple sclerosis played a role in the crash.

Casler is due back in court Dec. 22.