Heidi Cousino fights back tears in court. (Photos: JD Pooley/Sentinel-Tribune)

(Updated: 01-25-11)
Whether it was a mere "accident" or a "selfless, thoughtless, deliberate act,"
Dominic Dilucia will be spending 15 years in prison for his role in the dragging death of another man.

Dilucia, 19, of Rossford, was previously found guilty of felonious assault and involuntary manslaughter
as a result of an incident in the early morning hours of Nov. 1, 2009. That incident at Perrysburg
Estates on Lime City Road claimed the life of Steven Jagodzinski.
According to the Perrysburg Township Police report from the incident, Dilucia and Jagodzinski were
involved in an altercation in the early morning hours. Jagodzinski was dragged by a vehicle driven by
Dilucia for about 18 feet. As he escaped and began to stand, Dilucia struck the victim with the car. The
Toledo resident was 25 at the time of his death on Nov. 7.
In the courtroom of Judge Reeve Kelsey Monday, it was obvious both families’ lives will never be the
same.
Throughout the proceedings Monday, including two victim impact statements, Dilucia mostly looked down at
the table and showed no visible reaction.
"It was a choice I have to live with for the rest of my life," Dilucia told the court when
given the chance to speak. "I feel horribly, there is nothing I can do to take that back."
While the defendant said he was willing to take his punishment, he did ask the judge to have mercy on him
for "a horrible accident, a horrible mistake."
Renee Jagodzinski, the sister of the victim, addressed the court, and shared how she saw her brother
lying on the blacktop near her residence immediately after the incident.
"It’s still hard for me to breathe when I see the spot where he was laying," she said noting
also the panic she feels when she hears or sees an ambulance. "It’s hard to live this way."

His sister said while people have told her dealing with her brothers’ death, whom she also called her
best friend, gets easier with time, "for me it only gets harder."
Both the victim’s sister and Heidi Cousino, her brother’s fiancee, said it has been difficult for them to
be in the courtroom through the numerous proceedings and to see Dilucia, turning around talking and
laughing with his family.
"I’d give anything to see my brother laughing again and sharing a story," Jagodzinski said.
"He not only took my brother, he took a piece of all of us."
Cousino was mostly unsuccessful in fighting back her tears while listening to the first statement, as
well as during her prepared statement.
She spoke of her relationship with the victim and his role as the father of their children.
Speaking of her 9-year-old daughter who witnessed the incident, Cousino shared how everything changed for
the girl. Her former good grades have suffered and she has become quiet and withdrawn.
"No child should have to see something like that happen to her parent," Cousino said.
Referencing their seven-year relationship, she shared many of their future plans, including their son,
calling the late Jagodzinski a great dad.
"Because of Mr. Dilucia’s selfless, thoughtless and deliberate act, all our hopes and dreams were
shattered," she said.
Dilucia’s remarks followed the victim impact statements, to which he said, "Truthfully, I deserve
both those things."
Through the plea agreement in the case, Gwen Howe-Gebers, an assistant Wood County prosecutor,
recommended the 15-year aggregate sentence.
Kelsey ordered eight years for the involuntary manslaughter charge and seven years for felonious assault.
He also ordered the sentences be served consecutive to each other.
Dilucia’s driver’s license will also be suspended for 18 years. Following his release from prison, he
will be placed on post-release control sanctions for five years and three years, respectively on the two
charges.
Dilucia’s attorney, Peter G. Rost, told the court how his client had completed his high school diploma
while in jail and vowed that Dilucia will continue to take classes while incarcerated "to better
himself and to be a more productive person."

Heidi Cousino fights back tears in court. (Photos: JD Pooley/Sentinel-Tribune)

(Updated: 01-25-11)
Whether it was a mere "accident" or a "selfless, thoughtless, deliberate act,"
Dominic Dilucia will be spending 15 years in prison for his role in the dragging death of another man.

Dilucia, 19, of Rossford, was previously found guilty of felonious assault and involuntary manslaughter
as a result of an incident in the early morning hours of Nov. 1, 2009. That incident at Perrysburg
Estates on Lime City Road claimed the life of Steven Jagodzinski.
According to the Perrysburg Township Police report from the incident, Dilucia and Jagodzinski were
involved in an altercation in the early morning hours. Jagodzinski was dragged by a vehicle driven by
Dilucia for about 18 feet. As he escaped and began to stand, Dilucia struck the victim with the car. The
Toledo resident was 25 at the time of his death on Nov. 7.
In the courtroom of Judge Reeve Kelsey Monday, it was obvious both families’ lives will never be the
same.
Throughout the proceedings Monday, including two victim impact statements, Dilucia mostly looked down at
the table and showed no visible reaction.
"It was a choice I have to live with for the rest of my life," Dilucia told the court when
given the chance to speak. "I feel horribly, there is nothing I can do to take that back."
While the defendant said he was willing to take his punishment, he did ask the judge to have mercy on him
for "a horrible accident, a horrible mistake."
Renee Jagodzinski, the sister of the victim, addressed the court, and shared how she saw her brother
lying on the blacktop near her residence immediately after the incident.
"It’s still hard for me to breathe when I see the spot where he was laying," she said noting
also the panic she feels when she hears or sees an ambulance. "It’s hard to live this way."

His sister said while people have told her dealing with her brothers’ death, whom she also called her
best friend, gets easier with time, "for me it only gets harder."
Both the victim’s sister and Heidi Cousino, her brother’s fiancee, said it has been difficult for them to
be in the courtroom through the numerous proceedings and to see Dilucia, turning around talking and
laughing with his family.
"I’d give anything to see my brother laughing again and sharing a story," Jagodzinski said.
"He not only took my brother, he took a piece of all of us."
Cousino was mostly unsuccessful in fighting back her tears while listening to the first statement, as
well as during her prepared statement.
She spoke of her relationship with the victim and his role as the father of their children.
Speaking of her 9-year-old daughter who witnessed the incident, Cousino shared how everything changed for
the girl. Her former good grades have suffered and she has become quiet and withdrawn.
"No child should have to see something like that happen to her parent," Cousino said.
Referencing their seven-year relationship, she shared many of their future plans, including their son,
calling the late Jagodzinski a great dad.
"Because of Mr. Dilucia’s selfless, thoughtless and deliberate act, all our hopes and dreams were
shattered," she said.
Dilucia’s remarks followed the victim impact statements, to which he said, "Truthfully, I deserve
both those things."
Through the plea agreement in the case, Gwen Howe-Gebers, an assistant Wood County prosecutor,
recommended the 15-year aggregate sentence.
Kelsey ordered eight years for the involuntary manslaughter charge and seven years for felonious assault.
He also ordered the sentences be served consecutive to each other.
Dilucia’s driver’s license will also be suspended for 18 years. Following his release from prison, he
will be placed on post-release control sanctions for five years and three years, respectively on the two
charges.
Dilucia’s attorney, Peter G. Rost, told the court how his client had completed his high school diploma
while in jail and vowed that Dilucia will continue to take classes while incarcerated "to better
himself and to be a more productive person."