Lodi man sentenced to several years following fatal crash

MEDINA — A Lodi man has been sentenced to several years for two felony charges in connection with a fatal crash that occurred in Lafayette Township. Brenden Anthony Gundel, 20, of Lodi, was sentenced by Medina County Common Pleas Judge Joyce Kimbler on Thursday for a count of aggravated vehicular homicide, a third-degree felony, and a count of vehicular assault, a fourth-degree felony. Gundel was sentenced to four years for aggravated vehicular homicide and 12 months for vehicular assault, which will run consecutively to one another.  Upon his release, Kimbler said Gundel would be subject to a mandatory period of post-release control of two years. His license will also be suspended for 10 years.  Additionally, Gundel is to pay restitution of $229,511.22 to the victims through the Medina County Clerk of Courts. The felony charges stemmed from a fatal crash on Dec. 22. The Medina Police Department previously reported that officers responded to the 7100 block of Friendsville Road for a report of a two-vehicle crash with injuries. Upon arrival, officers found one vehicle overturned and another with heavy front-end damage. Investigators determined one vehicle was occupied by a man and a woman, Medina police previously reported. The woman, Pegeen Razem, age 63, of Lodi, sustained critical injuries and later died as a result of the crash. The driver of the vehicle, Robert Razem, was also injured and transported for treatment. During Thursday's sentencing, Robert Razem spoke, stating that Pegeen did not die right away, and that she remained conscious in the crushed car as the two awaited help.  Robert Razem's right ankle was shattered on impact, and his right wrist was also broken in the crash. The two were transported in separate ambulances, he said, and she was transferred to another hospital due to her injuries.  "She died alone because my injuries prevented me from being by her side," Razem said. "Her last hours were filled with pain, fear, suffering no human being should ever have to endure."   The second vehicle involved in the crash was driven by Gundel, who was the sole occupant. Gundel sustained injuries and was transported for treatment. Gundel was initially charged with one count of aggravated vehicular homicide. On Jan. 6, a supplemental indictment was filed with a count of vehicular assault. He was arraigned on both charges in January. Gundel's attorney, David Sheldon, provided several character letters on Gundel's behalf on Thursday, reading some of them aloud to the court. Sheldon noted that Gundel had plans to join the U.S. Army and was scheduled to ship out days later, on Dec. 31.   Gundel also spoke during the sentencing, apologizing to the Razem family for his decisions that day and taking responsibility for his actions.  "I think about my actions every day," Gundel said. "I'm still struggling to forgive myself for said action. I would trade my life for hers in a heartbeat."  Contact reporter Sara Crawford at (330) 721-4063 or [email protected].