Henry Cofrancesco
A man who pleaded guilty in the death of a 60-year-old motorcyclist outside a bar on Lee Highway in May 2016 has gone into confinement to begin serving a nine-year prison sentence.
Henry Cofrancesco III had appealed the term handed down by Judge Don Poole, but the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals on May 22 upheld the conviction and sentence. He had remained free during the appeal.
Cofrancesco in April of 2017 pleaded guilty to one count of vehicular homicide (by Impairment) and one count of (DUI per se) (enhanced).
Cofrancesco, who was 34 when he pleaded guilty, was initially charged with possession of cocaine, failure to yield right of way, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to render aid and DUI.
Robert Benedict was struck and killed on Lee Highway when a vehicle pulled onto the highway from the Images nightclub.
At 8:10 p.m., officers from the Chattanooga Police Department's Traffic Division responded to the fatal crash at 5950 Lee Highway involving a 2015 BMW convertible and a 2006 American Ironhorse motorcycle.
Police said Cofrancesco was driving the 2015 BMW. He was pulling out of the parking lot at 5950 Lee Highway.
When his vehicle pulled out into the road he struck the motorcycle rider. The impact caused substantial damage to both vehicles.
Mr. Benedict was pronounced dead at the scene.
A witness said Cofrancesco drove over a curb onto Lee Highway directly in front of the motorcycle.
The witness said the driver got out of his car, looked around, then went back into the bar.