News & Record
GREENSBORO, N.C. — In a courtroom crowded with church members on one side and High Point firefighters on the other, a 20-year-old pleaded guilty to fleeing the scene of a fatal wreck after hitting a bicyclist in February.
Andrew “Andy” Bray Barham of Summerfield pleaded guilty in Guilford County Superior Court on Thursday to one count of felony hit-and-run causing a death.
Barham was 19 at the time of the Feb. 2 wreck. He struck High Point firefighter Todd Martinez, 49, who was riding a bicycle near the intersection of Scalesville and Sewarn roads with his wife, Melanie Harless, about 5:15 p.m.
Martinez, a father of two boys, was taken to Moses Cone Hospital. He died about 45 minutes later.
Harless attended the plea hearing carrying a plaque with Martinez pictured in his firefighter dress uniform.
Barham briefly addressed the Martinez family in court.
“I’m truly sorry for this terrible accident,” he said. “I should never have ran.”
Judge John O. Craig III sentenced Barham to 16 to 29 months in prison.
However, the judge suspended all but four months and gave him 48 months probation.
During his probation, Barham must continue to live with his parents and perform 250 hours of community service.
Also, the red Ford F-350 pickup Barham was driving when he struck Martinez must be repaired and sold — a suggestion made by the defense so the Martinez family wouldn’t have to see it again.
The Barham and Martinez families live in the same area.
Craig also offered this advice for Barham during his four months in prison:
“As you lay your head on your bunk cell each night, think about always taking responsibility for your actions,” he said.
“It’s natural to show remorse or sorrow after the fact, but you must take responsibility for your conduct the moment it happens,” Craig told him.
During the hearing, about 60 people filled the courtroom in support of both families.
Many firefighters wore their dress uniforms.
Several ministers from Barham’s church were in attendance.
Barham’s defense attorney, Ames Chamberlin, said Barham was on his way to a church event in Summerfield when he struck Martinez from behind. Barham continued to the church, came home briefly and then went to his girlfriend’s house for a Super Bowl party.
He told his brother, Zach, that the damage on the pickup was caused by hitting a basketball goal, Chamberlin said.
His older brother, though, happened to drive by the accident scene. When he heard that a person had been hit by a red pickup, he told a state trooper that he thought Barham was involved.
Harless had strong words for the loss she now feels.
“Todd and I were in the prime of our lives. We had plans for growing old together,” she said when speaking to the court Thursday. “At 5:56 p.m. on Feb. 2, the man I adored died and part of me died with him.”
Martinez’s sons no longer want to come to the house because they are reminded of their father.
Harless said she can’t concentrate. She no longer has the love of her life.
“No one will ever understand the pain and suffering I endure, every hour of every day.”
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