Holland teen sentenced to 14 months for crashing into deputy's cruiser

9/11/2018
BY ALLISON DUNN
BLADE STAFF WRITER
Jakob Kruthaup, 18, of Morton Street, was sentenced Tuesday to 14 months in prison for fleeing from Lucas County Sheriff’s deputies and crashing into a cruiser, causing significant injuries to the officer.
Jakob Kruthaup, 18, of Morton Street, was sentenced Tuesday to 14 months in prison for fleeing from Lucas County Sheriff’s deputies and crashing into a cruiser, causing significant injuries to the officer.

A Holland teenager was sentenced Tuesday to 14 months in prison for fleeing from Lucas County sheriff’s deputies and crashing into a cruiser, causing significant injuries to the officer. 

Jakob Kruthaup, 19, was sentenced by Lucas County Common Pleas Court Judge James Bates for attempted failure to comply with the signal of a police officer and vehicular assault, both fourth-degree felonies.

“Mr. Kruthaup, I want you to realize the seriousness of what you did and the seriousness of your actions as it relates to this case. If you committed almost any other offense, I’d be putting you on probation today, but you caused some real damage to an individual who happens to be a police officer. That damage cannot be repaired,” Judge Bates said.

The teen was sentenced to 12 months in prison for the failure to comply offense, and 14 months for the vehicular assault charge, with the sentences being served concurrently. He received credit for three days served in jail.

Deputy Craig Barth, who was injured in the crash, stood in the corner of the courtroom during the hearing. He declined to give a statement during the hearing. Prosecutors said the deputy required neck surgery following the crash and is still recovering.

“You affected somebody’s life, probably for the rest of his life,” Judge Bates said. “He’s going to have problems with the neck.”

On May 15, Kruthaup stole a vehicle from a Holland man, who notified the sheriff’s office. 

A Lucas County sheriff’s sergeant spotted the stolen vehicle in the Royal Village Mobile Home park off Dorr Street and the officer attempted to make contact with the people inside the car, according to a police report. The vehicle took off, heading east on Nebraska Avenue toward McCord Road.

Deputy Barth saw the vehicle at Nebraska Avenue and McCord Road, the report said. Kruthaup, who was driving the vehicle, fled from Deputy Barth at a high rate of speed.

Kruthaup lost control of the vehicle and struck Deputy Barth’s cruiser. Then, Kruthaup fled from the car, hiding in a heavily-wooded area. He was later located and admitted being the driver of the car, Judge Bates read from a report.

The deputy was taken to ProMedica Flower Hospital. 

“I’m very sorry, and I’d like to tell my grandparents that I’m very sorry,” Kruthaup said Tuesday. “I know I was at the wrong place at the wrong time, and I know that my actions have gotten me to where I don’t want to be.” 

On July 26, Kruthaup pleaded no contest to attempted failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer and vehicular assault, both fourth-degree felonies. He was found guilty on both counts. 

A fourth-degree felony charge of receiving stolen property was dismissed through a plea agreement.

On Tuesday, Kruthaup’s attorney, Kati Tharp, said her client has not had “an ideal childhood.” Both of his parents are incarcerated and he has several mental health diagnoses, she said. 

“There is no excuse for what he’s done. ... He’s made some pretty terrible mistakes that resulted in some pretty significant consequences,” Ms. Tharp said. “He’s taken responsibility for what he’s done.” 

She requested Kruthaup be sentenced to community control as he has preformed well while on bond.

Kruthaup’s license will also be suspended for life. He may be placed on post release control for three years for each count.

Contact Allison Dunn at areamer@theblade.com, 419-724-6506, or on Twitter @AllisonDBlade.