James Shulski, 36, of Trevose, PA was dealing with a potential 10 yr sentence earlier than he agreed to plead responsible, eliminating the necessity for a trial. In trade, his felony cost for accidents involving demise or private damage was diminished from felony 2 to felony 3, leaving him with a most potential sentence of 5 years.

On Monday, Bucks County Frequent Pleas Choose Jeffrey Finley sentenced Shulski to 2 1/2 to five years behind bars, plus six years probation to be served concurrently.

“Moderately than have the braveness to remain there and supply help and cooperate with police, you took this from an accident to legal conduct,” Finley instructed Shulski.

Shulski had beforehand been convicted of DUI-related fees courting to a Could 2023 arrest, simply two months earlier than this deadly hit-and-run, in line with courtroom data reported by the Bucks County Courier-Instances. He was sentenced to 72 hours to 6 months in jail for that incident.

On the night time of July 6, 2023, Harlem Dennis was hanging out along with his buddies in Bensalam, Pennsylvania after they determined to stroll throughout the road to purchase snacks at a comfort retailer.

“My son had on reflector garments, he knew the foundations,” Harlem’s mom Terandance instructed Philadelphia’s WPVI-TV. “He knew how you can cross the road.”

He was additionally acquainted with the world because the Bucks County Courier-Instances stories Terandance and her 4 youngsters lived on the lodge they had been strolling from, the place she additionally labored part-time.

It was roughly 10:15 p.m. when Shulski came across the boys crossing the road. Per the Courier-Instances, he swerved out of the left lane to keep away from them. Sadly, Harlem dove towards the middle lane in his try to keep away from getting hit.

He was allegedly struck by Shulski’s Honda Accord, after which once more by a second automobile whereas he was mendacity within the highway. Authorities reported of their in all probability trigger affidavit, per the newspaper, the “pressure of the impression left Harlem’s footwear, socks and different private objects strewn all through the middle lane.”

Whereas each automobiles initially stopped after the accident, Shulski allegedly obtained again into his automobile after about two minutes and left the scene earlier than police arrived. An post-mortem by the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Workplace decided Harlem’s explanation for demise as blunt trauma to the top and chest.

Terandance instructed the Courier-Instances she was initially instructed the automobile that struck and killed her son had stayed on the scene. It was the next day when she noticed on the information that there was a second automobile concerned that had left the scene.

Surveillance video seen by investigators revealed a grey Honda Accord had been touring alongside the identical highway because the accident simply earlier than 10:15 p.m., per WPVI-TV. They had been capable of observe its actions backwards by means of extra cameras till they obtained a transparent learn of the license plate.

Police had been capable of positively ID the automobile and went to the registered tackle of its proprietor, per the outlet. There, they reported discovering the automobile with injury according to putting a pedestrian.

In addition they made contact with the automobile proprietor, Shulski’s father, who instructed them believed his son, who additionally lived on the residence, had the automobile that night time, per the possible trigger affidavit. The youthful Shulski refused to reply any police questions, they reported.

As such, authorities obtained a search warrant for the Accord, in addition to Shulski’s cellphone data. These data positioned him close to the scene on the time of the accident, whereas DNA proof on the steering wheel matched the youthful Shulski.

Shulski turned himself in on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, earlier than in the end bailing out after posting 10 % of $100,000, per WPVI-TV.

Earlier than his sentencing on Monday, Shulski’s protection legal professional Paul Lang learn a letter of apology from his shopper, the place he expressed “deep regrets” for his “horrible actions.” He promised to discover a method to make amends to the Dennis household, nevertheless it’s too late to present them what they really need.

“I can’t assist however to assume what if the motive force stopped and known as for assist as an alternative of getting out of the automobile and taking a look at my 14-year-old son after which getting again in his automobile and driving off and going about his night time,” she instructed the Courier-Instances. “He left him there like roadkill.”

“There’s nothing that can convey Harlem again, nothing that may take this gap out of my youngsters and my hearts,” she added. “However I wish to see this man be away from his household like Harlem is away from his.”