Tears Flow in Court During Fatal Hit-and-Run Hearing

At age 28, friends say Thomas Quercetti was taken from his loved ones way too soon. Quercetti passed away late last month from what police say were injuries suffered in a hit and run accident on State Road in Springfield back on July 4 2012.

Pacurie Huynh, 29, is charged with causing the accident that police say led to Quercetti's death.

Huynh appeared in a Springfield District Court Thursday morning as several detectives, Springfield's police chief, friends and family watched.

Tears Flow in Courtroom

Several friends and supporters of Huynh's family who had come to court broke into tears when he first appeared in the courtroom shackled in handcuffs and leg irons. Members of the Quercetti family chose not to come to court, but were represented by close friends and a family attorney.

Huynh's decision to waive his preliminary hearing meant that graphic testimony about the accident was not presented in open court.

An affidavit of probable cause filed in the case says the impact of the crash was severe enough to cause damage to a "headlamp, bumper, hood, windshield and possible fender" of the vehicle that hit the man.

Closure, but No Winners

After the hearing, Quercetti family friend and attorney Albert Greto told Patch he felt for the defendant's family as well the Quercettis. "This brings closure but it doesn't bring Tommy back," Greto told Patch. "In fact, it probably brings more sadness to this man's (Huynh's) family."

After the brief hearing, where Huynh waived his right to hear the evidence against him, Greto and other friends of the Quercetti family took a few minutes to speak with the Springfield detectives and Chief Joe Daly to thank them for their diligence in investigating the case.

Menawhile, Huynh's family, who did not want to speak with reporters, found comfort in each other's company before leaving the courthouse parking lot.

Both families had a long morning in court, waiting while several other cases were heard before Hyunh's case came up. During the wait, Hyunh could be seen through an open door sitting in a holding cell in an area behind the courtroom.  Huynh is being held in the Delaware County Prison in lieu of $500,000 bail. His next court appearance is schedule for April 3 in Delaware County Common Pleas Court in Media.

For his part, Huynh appeared composed and spoke quietly, saying only a few things in response to the judge's questions to make sure he understood his rights and the legal process.