Alvino Sentenced To 37 Months

Hit-And-Run Driver Apologies To Wines Family

By: Andrew Porter

Posted: 1/24/08

ROCKVILE - Anthony P. Alvino, the driver of the vehicle that struck and killed UConn freshman Carlee Wines in a hit-and-run last January was sentenced to 37 months in prison today in Rockville Superior Court.

Alvino, who was 18 at the time of the incident, pled no contest to charges of misconduct with a motor vehicle and evading responsibility on Oct. 26, 2007, received a five-year sentence that will be suspended after three years for the misconduct charge and an eight-year sentence that will be suspended after 37 months for the evading responsibility charge. He will serve the sentences concurrently, meaning he will be in prison for three years and one month.

He will be required to complete five years probation, for the first 18 months of which his driver's license will be suspended. He will also be required to perform 100 hours of community service each year during his probation, as well as donate $500 each January to the Carlee Wines memorial fund. He will also be prohibited from consuming alcohol during his probation.

"There are no winners. Everyone in this position is a loser," said Judge Terrence Sullivan, prior to handing down his ruling. "Nothing can balance the scales of justice, nothing can bring Carlee back."

"You attempted to hide your involvement in the death of Carlee Wines," Sullivan said. "This is not something we can tolerate in society ... Carlee Wines' death was unintended but absolutely avoidable."

In an emotional hearing in which friends and family of both Wines and Alvino spoke, tears fell on both sides of the courtroom.

"I don't think the sentence is unreasonable," said Pamela Wines, Carlee's mother, requesting that Alvino serve a four-year prison sentence proposed by the state's attorney. "To leave her at the side of the road to die is just incomprehensible to me. You hit an animal and you at least slow down … Please make him [Alvino] be responsible for his actions."

"Anything less than a four-year term will be seen as a victory for Mr. Alvino," said Stephen Wines, Carlee's father.

Corey Schwitz, Wines' boyfriend, who referred to Pamela as his "mother-in-law," told the court that he, "can't find a way to enjoy a single day," without Wines in his life.

Alvino, who spoke on his own behalf, offered his first-ever apology to the Wines family, something he said was delayed on advice from his legal counsel.

"I'm truly sorry for causing the death of Carlee Wines," he said. "I'm haunted by the decision I made … I hope one day you will eventually be able to forgive me because I will never be able to forgive myself."

The defense portrayed Alvino as a meek boy, easily susceptible to the influence of others.

While Alvino's attorney John Maxwell acknowledged that Alvino was wrong for fleeing the scene, he focused on the actions of Alvino's parents, who according to court documents advised the boy to return to New York the day after the accident and not report it to the authorities.

"He [Alvino] is a young person, a decent person who's done a bad thing," said Maxwell. "[His punishment] shouldn't get an enhancement because of what his parents did - Anthony should not bear the full brunt."

Alvino's parents are currently facing criminal charges in New York state, which stem from their involvement.

Contact Andrew Porter at

Andrew.Porter@UConn.edu.