If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in jail.
By BILL DIPAOLO, Palm Beach Post
NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – Bob Krommendyk doesn’t hate the 17-year-old former Benjamin School senior charged with killing his brother Paul. But he wants Beruch Yonas Zegeye to go to jail.
“He’s got to suffer the consequences. He murdered somebody with a car,” said Krommendyk, a North Palm Beach resident who lives next door to the former home of his brother.
On Friday, Zegeye, a son of prominent surgeon and a native of Ethiopia, was formally charged as an adult with DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, driving under the influence causing serious injury and reckless driving causing serious injury. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in jail.
Palm Beach Gardens police say Zegeye was under the influence Sept. 13 and driving about 79 miles per hour in a 45 mile-per-hour zone when he smashed his 6,700-pound Porsche Cayenne into the rear of Krommendyk’s 2,300-pound Toyota Yaris. Zegeye did not hit the brakes. Krommendyk was waiting for a red light at Prosperity Farms Road and PGA Boulevard on his way to deliver a pizza at about 11 p.m. on a Saturday night, police said.
The Yaris was pushed into the rear of a stopped Dodge Intrepid driven by Richard Lombardi, 70, a West Palm Beach resident. Lombardi’s Intrepid crashed into a concrete pole across the intersection. Zegeye’s SUV ended up across the median in the eastbound lane of PGA, the police report said.
Zegeye’s “eyes were bloodshot, glassy and appeared to be very heavy and his speech was very slurred,” according to the report.
One witness told police that she drove Zegeye’s Porsche to an earlier party because Zegeye was in no condition to drive, the report stated. She also said other people at the party were “very upset and concerned because of (Zegeye’s) condition” when he left.
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Bob Krommendyk, who runs a lawn care business, said his brother moved to Palm Beach County about seven years ago from Iowa.
Paul Krommendyk, 45, was a quiet man who lived with a roommate and his dog, Copper. He had been a Domino’s Pizza delivery man for about two years, working out of the store in Juno Beach on U.S. 1, Bob’s wife Wendy said after the crash.
“We’re going to let the law take care of it,” said Krommendyk. “I just hope (Zegeye) doesn’t walk away,”
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FORUM | 18 Comments
He deserve what is coming to him…..these spoiled brats, the ‘rich kids’ should learn from their countrys’ poor kids who have no food to ear for weeks.
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October 15th, 2008 at 4:54 PM
His parents do not deserve this ordeal.
Saba, you are an envious socialist – “buda”.
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October 15th, 2008 at 7:33 PM
“he smashed his 6,700-pound Porsche Cayenne”
This is what happens when parents spoil their kids with this kind of gadget. Poor boy!…
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October 15th, 2008 at 9:03 PM
Saba, The problem is not his being rich or being a son of a rich doctor. The problem is what both poor and rich people are facing in the USA. “Drinking and Driving”.
I feel sorry for his father and family who will end up with the attorney fees and community finger pointing.
For him, may be it will be harshy. Florida Prisons are hell, the state doesn’t have a state tax revenue to spend on crimnals “hotel stay”. Trust me he will learn his lesson. Prison rape is also high in the FL.
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October 15th, 2008 at 11:26 PM
We have all picked some bad choices at some stages of our lives and it is unjust to fingure point and turn judgmental.I sorrow both for the victim and for Bruch and particularly for his family who have tried to give nothing but good things for their son. Let us all pray for all involved in this ordeal.
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October 16th, 2008 at 1:00 AM
Atefred yeferedbihal. Please dont talk nonsense. When you wish this kid long term jail, you may end up raising a child who could face the same consequences. Let the lord and the law take care of him. He is only seventeen. Some blame goes to the family. Still we have to be aware that in this United States of American any thing can happen. Your child could end up the same way because of peer pressure. Again dont be jealous if you grew up riding a donkey, that was your fate. The father had to strive like to get where he is. The porch e was not imported from Ethiopia. The dad earned it. Hell ya if I can afford it when my son grows up he will drive a Lamborghini.
I dont see any thing wrong with that. Growing up we all have done things that were unacceptable by society and that is part of growing .
The worst accident is to have jealousy stick in your mind.
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October 16th, 2008 at 2:19 AM
May God Help the victims family to forgive and forget. Things like that can happen to everyone I don’t think it is about his being son of a rich man or being spoiled accidents happen. May the Lord forgive the teen and itervene in his process.
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October 16th, 2008 at 2:38 AM
Guys don’t you the saying “nege benge” Atefered yeferedebehal. but again the kid deserve the right penality since he broke the law. I only fell bad for his parents GOD be with them.
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October 16th, 2008 at 4:44 AM
He deserve what is coming to him! Give Him 40 years
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October 16th, 2008 at 7:32 AM
Drinking is an epidemic in our society, which is very sadden and of course the result is always heartbroken and disappointing. This young man would spend half of his productive life behind bars because of alcohol.
I think alcohol consumption should be discussed and an important issue and we should do something to minimize it at least our young people.
I feel sorry for him mother and Father, I am sure they never thought that their son would ended like this. No father or mother wish this for her/his son.
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October 16th, 2008 at 8:42 AM
this accident could happen to anyone please don’t judge the kid.
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October 16th, 2008 at 10:29 AM
40 years is a lot.I don’t think that is fair.
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October 16th, 2008 at 11:07 AM
ya lock him up and show him the real other side of life where he cant be no mo MAMA’S BOY. The dead man needs some justice on this earth and in heaven too Rest in peace.
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October 16th, 2008 at 12:25 PM
WHAT is going on here? do you think driving when u r teen in the US is like being spoiled???/ Stop it !
Drinking is the source, partying too much, and Parents? I feel sorry for them, please dont blame them they have no control over it ….. its the kids life style ….
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October 16th, 2008 at 1:49 PM
what kind of pary is he having Monday night…?
Ayheeeee…? ” YEKBTU LET MOT AYGEMNM ” If I were his father, I would make him to work 80 hours a week.(no week-ends off) plus, I would send him to school full-time. So that he will not have time to do crazy things like the way these kids are doing. One day he will appreciates what his Dad was doing in a big way. It seems like, it is a little to late now. The rest of you, you have got a good reason to stop…
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October 17th, 2008 at 2:12 AM
Egzio!!!!
Barude -” ya lock him up…..? Where is your compassion Mr?
Endet? menew wendem alem- “If i were his father , I would make him …..” you are not helping!!
I hope his parents will try to negotiate with the victim family, and settle things out of court.
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October 17th, 2008 at 7:26 AM
Elaine,
Why are we so quick to point finger? This could have happened to anyone of us/children. Alcohol is becoming a major issue in our society. We need to find solution for it. May god be with all of them.
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October 17th, 2008 at 10:11 AM
It’s very sad to hear that… just wrong time, wrong place and a wrong person. My heart goes out for the victum and his families.
If there is anything we can learn out of this:the accident in this case, could have been prevented but unfortunately it didn’t there will be always another nuckle head doing the same mistake every minute regardless of parental warnings!
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November 7th, 2008 at 8:19 PM