Sep 30, 2015 2 min read

A former Burgettstown man was sentenced to 6 to 12 months in jail with work release Wednesday after pleading in June to his role in a 2013 head-on crash in Hanover Township that killed his girlfriend and severely injured a Prosperity man.

Stanley Reisdorf, 47, of Pittsburgh, appeared before Washington County Judge Gary Gilman for a sentencing hearing. Reisdorf entered into an open plea agreement in June, which left his sentence at the discretion of Gilman. Reisdorf pleaded guilty to aggravated assault by vehicle, homicide by vehicle and three summary offenses.

Killed in the March 7, 2013, crash was Debra Strong, 55, of Burgettstown. Eric Raineri, of Prosperity, who was a passenger in the other vehicle, was flown to UPMC-Presbyterian hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment of head and leg injuries. He was not present at Wednesday’s hearing.

Reisdorf’s vehicle was passing another vehicle in a no-passing zone on Route 18 at Log Cabin Road in Hanover Township when he collided head-on with a pickup truck driven by Curtis Warner of Hickory.

Police estimated Reisdorf was driving between 79 and 82 mph at impact while Warner was going about 10 mph. The speed limit in that area is 50 mph.

Strong’s husband, Eugene Field Strong Jr., and son, Thor Strong, were present for Wednesday’s hearing. They both stood while they addressed the court and Reisdorf. Both said they were displeased with the outcome of the case and said Reisdorf was not remorseful.

“You destroyed my family,” Eugene Strong said. “No one forgives you.”

Reisdorf rocked in his chair and stared at the desk before him while both men spoke. He briefly addressed the court and offered his apologies to the family.

“I wish I could take it back,” he said. “I just ask for forgiveness.”

Gilman also ordered that Reisdorf pay roughly $9,000 in restitution.

Several deputies were called to the courtroom to ensure order after the Strongs had several verbal outbursts.

Reisdorf’s attorney, Rachael Santoriella, declined to comment following the hearing. First Assistant District Attorney Chad Schneider said Reisdorf faced 7 to 14 years in prison. Gilman’s sentence fell within in the sentencing guidelines, he said.

Santoriella said during the hearing that she intends to file a post-sentencing motion. She asked the judge for probation or intermediate punishment.

Reisdorf remains free on a $50,000 unsecured bond. He was ordered to report to the jail at the end of October to begin his sentence.